LFC131 peptide-conjugated polymeric nanoparticles for the effective delivery of docetaxel in CXCR4 overexpressed lung cancer cells.

CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor which is over expressed in multiple cancers including lung cancers. LFC131 peptide (d-Tyr-Arg-Arg-2-Nal-Gly), an inhibitor of CXCR4-ligand binding, is a low molecular weight CXCR4 antagonist. In this study, we developed novel LFC131 peptide surface conjugated O-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (O-CMC NP) to target CXCR4 over expressed A549 lung cancer cells. CXCR4-targeted drug delivery system was characterized for its binding, uptake, targeting specificity, and in vitro antitumour effect. Our main goal was to increase the intracellular concentration of docetaxel (DTX) in the cancer cells via a targeted approach. We have reported a nanosized particle with spherical shape and showed a high loading capacity. The CMC NP showed a controlled release pattern and presence of LFC131 did not influence the release of DTX. The fluorescence analysis showed an enhanced cell uptake for targeted NP via CXCR4-LFC131 biological interactions. The receptor-mediated cellular internalization was further confirmed confocal microscopy. The cytotoxicity assays showed enhanced cancer cell death by targeted NPs due to the selective delivery of DTX. Consistent with the cellular uptake analysis, targeted NPs induced a greater caspase-3 activity in A549 cancer cells. LFC/CMC NP exhibited a remarkable cell apoptosis by inducing apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Together, targeted LFC/CMC NP significantly enhanced cancer cell death than compared to non-targeted and free drugs. This kind of targeted nanoplatform which is based on polymeric nanocarriers could further facilitate a treatment protocol for CXCR4 overexpressing A549 lung cancer cells.