Synthesis of Cell-Penetrating Peptide Coated Silica Nanoparticles and Their Physicochemical and Biological Characterization.

The surface decoration of nanoparticles with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) represents a common technique for intracellular delivery of nanotherapeutics. Conjugate formation can be performed via covalent or non-covalent strategies. Here, we describe on the synthesis of silica nanoparticles, a well-known inorganic drug delivery vehicle type, and their surface modification with cell-penetrating peptides using sC18 and derivatives thereof. Moreover, physicochemical as well as biological characterization methods, including cellular uptake measurements, of particle-peptide conjugates are described.