Legumain Targeting Peptide Conjugated Fluorescent Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Imaging

Abstract

Porous silicon (PSi) with a suite of most desirable biomaterial properties has attracted great attention as a multifunctional nanoplatform for bioimaging and drug delivery. Various surface functionalization treatments have been reported for PSi to use as an active tumor cell targeting nanovector. In this study, we investigated surface functionalization treatments using a peptide that is specific to the emerging biomarker legumain. The PSi nanoparticles were coated with dextran and subsequently two types of legumain targeting peptide, Y-shaped and linear chain, were conjugated to produce the functionalized PSi. The functionalized (ligand-conjugated) PSi materials were characterized for morphology, size, functional groups, and fluorescence response using electron and fluorescence microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy techniques. Fluorescence microscopy imaging with two excitation wavelengths (450 nm and 600 nm) suggests comparable fluorescence response of the conjugated PSi to “bare” PSi and the suitability of the PSi functionalized with peptide for bioimaging.

Role of LGMN in tumor development and its progression and connection with the tumor microenvironment

“…According to the research, azapeptidyl ASN epoxide, which can be converted into a cancer-detecting near-infrared fluorophore, specifically labels LGMN. Porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles were independently developed, and Y-shaped and single new peptides that specifically target LGMN were encapsulated within them ( Kanathasan et al, 2017 ). More research is required to understand the relationship between PSi-based nanotechnology and breast cancer cells.…”