Design, synthesis, and biological functionality of a dendrimer-based modular drug delivery platform

Douglas G. Mullen, Daniel Q. McNerny, Ankur Desai, Xue Min Cheng, Stassi C. Dimaggio, Alina Kotlyar, Yueyang Zhong, Suyang Qin, Christopher V. Kelly, Thommey P. Thomas, Istvan Majoros, Bradford G. Orr, James R. Baker, Mark M. Banaszak Holl

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35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A modular dendrimer-based drug delivery platform was designed to improve upon existing limitations in single dendrimer systems. Using this modular strategy, a biologically active platform containing receptor mediated targeting and fluorescence imaging modules was synthesized by coupling a folic acid (FA) conjugated dendrimer with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated dendrimer. The two different dendrimer modules were coupled via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction ("click" chemistry) between an alkyne moiety on the surface of the first dendrimer and an azide moiety on the second dendrimer. Two simplified model systems were also synthesized to develop appropriate "click" reaction conditions and aid in spectroscopic assignments. Conjugates were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and NOESY. The FA-FITC modular platform was evaluated in vitro with a human epithelial cancer cell line (KB) and found to specifically target the overexpressed folic acid receptor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)679-689
Number of pages11
JournalBioconjugate Chemistry
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Apr 2011
Externally publishedYes

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