Characterization of ferritin-bound anticancer drug

• Main Author: Beri, Nandita.
• Other Authors: Professor Sierin Lim
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54567
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool, which owing to its lack of unfavorable side effects has numerous applications in the biomedical field. However, limited sensitivity of currently available MRI contrast agents limits its application not only in molecular imaging but also in imaging of small tissue lesions. Magnetic nanoparticles are attracting attention as potential contrast agents for MRI, since their relaxivities are much higher than those of “classic” Gd(III) complexes. These relaxivities are further enhanced when nanoparticles are loaded into the cavity of an iron storage protein, ferritin. In the past, unique self-assembly properties of Archaeoglobus fulgidus ferritin (AfFtn) have been exploited as a template for such nanoparticles synthesis. In this project, ferritin-bound cisplatin (CDDP), an anticancer drug, was characterized in an attempt to develop a theranostic agent with dual functionalities. In addition, ferritin- bound platinum (Pt) was also analyzed. Pt and CDDP were encapsulated in an engineered AfFtn-AA. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze loading efficiencies of different protocols by calculating the amount of the platinum encapsulated in the nanocomposites. Examination through Size Exclusion Chromatography confirmed self–assembly of ferritin into 24-mer. Hydrodynamic diameter of AfFtn-AA nanocomposites was measured by using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique. Finally, MRI relaxivity of each nanoparticle loaded AfFtn-AA was investigated using 3 T whole body MRI scanner to confirm its potential as a MRI contrast agent.