Paclitaxel-Loaded, Folic-Acid-Targeted and TAT-Peptide-Conjugated Polymeric Liposomes: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Abstract

Folic acid and TAT peptide were conjugated on the octadecyl-quaternized, lysine-modified chitosan-cholesterol polymeric liposomes (FA-TATp-PLs) to investigate their potential feasibility for tumor-targeted drug delivery. FA-TATp-PLs encapsulating paclitaxel or calcein were synthesized and characterized. Cellular uptake of PLs, FA-PLs, TATp-PLs and FA-TATp-PLs was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in folate receptor (FR)-positive KB nasopharyngeal epidermal carcinoma cells and FR-deficient A549 lung cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of paclitaxel-loaded FA-TATp-PLs were also evaluated in KB and A549 cells as well as in a murine KB xenograft model. Our data showed that 80% paclitaxel released from FA-TATp-PLs in 2 weeks. Different from other various PLs, CLSM analyses showed that FA-TATp-PLs had a significantly high efficient intracellular uptake in both KB and A549 cells. These data revealed the targeting effects of folate decoration, the transmembrane ability of TAT peptide as well as a synergistic interaction between them. In addition, paclitaxel-loaded FA-TATp-PLs exhibited a more superior antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo as compared to that with Taxol. FA-TATp-PLs possessing both targeting effect and transmembrane ability may serve as a promising carrier for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents.