Mussel‐Inspired Protein Nanoparticles Containing Iron(III)–DOPA Complexes for pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery |
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| Authors: | Dr Bum Jin Kim Hogyun Cheong Dr Byeong Hee Hwang Prof Hyung Joon Cha |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790‐784 (Korea);2. Division of Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 406‐772 (Korea) |
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| Abstract: | A novel bioinspired strategy for protein nanoparticle (NP) synthesis to achieve pH‐responsive drug release exploits the pH‐dependent changes in the coordination stoichiometry of iron(III)–3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) complexes, which play a major cross‐linking role in mussel byssal threads. Doxorubicin‐loaded polymeric NPs that are based on FeIII–DOPA complexation were thus synthesized with a DOPA‐modified recombinant mussel adhesive protein through a co‐electrospraying process. The release of doxorubicin was found to be predominantly governed by a change in the structure of the FeIII–DOPA complexes induced by an acidic pH value. It was also demonstrated that the fabricated NPs exhibited effective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells through efficient cellular uptake and cytosolic release. Therefore, it is anticipated that FeIII–DOPA complexation can be successfully utilized as a new design principle for pH‐responsive NPs for diverse controlled drug‐delivery applications. |
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| Keywords: | drug delivery electrospray iron complexes nanoparticles proteins |
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