Discipline:
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Jala Redmon - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Bhavani Natarajan, Nirupama Sabnis, and Andras Lacko, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
The overall goal of this study was to formulate and characterize reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL) nanoparticles containing an imaging dye IR-780 iodide and assess its selective cytoplasmic delivery in prostate cancer cells. Although major advances have been made, prostate cancer still remains one of the most common cancers among men. Studies have shown that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening provides no precise method to determine, definitively, whether the cancers detected pose a serious life threat. rHDL-IR-780 nanoparticles were prepared by cholate dialysis method. The chemical composition of the nanoparticles was determined by BCA-protein assay, phospholipid and cholesterol were determined by respective assay kits. The size was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), by Beckman Coultar. The entrapment efficiency was determined spectrophotometrically at 780 nm. Cytoplasmic delivery of rHDL-IR-780 in prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) was monitored by confocal microscopy at Ex. 633 nm and Em. 750 nm. At 0.5 mg/mL, the entrapment efficiency of rHDL-IR-780 nanoparticles was found to be optimum at 79%. The average size of these was 46 nm. Indicating that 0.5 mg/ml was the optimal concentration for treatment. Stable, non-leaking, rHDL-IR-780 nanoparticles were successfully formulated. The intracellular uptake of IR-780 via SR-B1 receptors in DU 145 cell line indicated its promising potential in prostate cancer diagnostics. However, its use as a diagnostic tool in prostate cancer patients needs to be further analyzed in clinical settings.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Funded by a Collaborative Undergraduate HBCU-STP grant PC150726 from the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program DOD-PCRP to Jamboor K. Vishwanatha, Wheels for Wellness, Inc. Fort Worth, TX, a grant awarded to Andras Lacko.
Faculty Advisor: Andras Lacko, andras.lacko@unthsc.edu
Role: My 10 week research project focused on the formulation and characterization of reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) as well as the localization of an imaging agent within its core. My specific role in the project was to use the proper methods and conduct the experiments to get results that can be duplicated in further studies. These methods included cholate dialysis method, quenching and anisotrophy, as well as confocal imaging and spectrophotometer measurements. My research allowed me to standardize results in order for further research in this particular area.