Self-fluorescent drug delivery vector based on genipin-crosslinked polyethylenimine conjugated globin nanoparticle

Abstract A kind of self-fluorescent, biocompatible, and low-toxic Genipin crosslinked Globin-PEI nanoparticle (Gb-G-PEI NP) with high enzymolysis-stability and photo-stability was synthesized successfully. The properties of the Gb-G-PEI NP were characterized, including its particle size, surface zeta potential, morphology, paclitaxel (PTX) loading capacity and release. The Gb-G-PEI NPs as imaging probe were investigated by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) in vitro and by fluorescence imaging system in vivo . Cell imaging results showed that the tumor cell line (HepG-2) had the faster cell uptake rate and metabolism rate than the normal cell line (L-O2), this difference showed its tumor selectivity. MTT assay revealed that the PTX-loaded Gb-G-PEI NPs showed almost the equal potence to tumor cell HepG-2 as the free PTX at the same PTX concentration, while a lower cytotoxicity to normal cell L-O2, suggesting its promising utilization as a drug delivery system. The imaging on mice demonstrated the possibility of the self-fluorescent Gb-G-PEI NPs as probe in vivo . So Gb-G-PEI NPs can be potentially utilized as both tracking marker and tumor cell selective drug delivery system in the biomaterial field.