M. Khan, A.J. Yamasta, M. Parvin, A. Arbab
Georgia Southern University,
United States
Keywords: peptides, PCL, tumor, electrospraying
Summary:
Two types of peptides, TAMS-1 U3012DA110-1CSPGAKVRCY{Lys(Biotin)} and Biotin{PEG4}-MEWSLEKGYTIK, were individually electrosprayed with a biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL). The peptide solution was created by dissolving 2mg of the peptide into 50ml of DMSo. The PCL solution was created by dissolving PCL in a mixture of Acetic Acid (AA), Formic Acid (FA) and Trifluoroethanol (TFE). The AA:FA:TFE solution was made in a 9:9:1 ratio. The PCL solution is then sonicated for a total of 24-30 hours to make the solution suitable for electrospraying. Each peptide was coaxially electrosprayed with PCL, where PCL is the core and the peptide is the sheath. Electrospraying parameters included applying a voltage of 44kV, humidity between 35-44%, tip to collector distance at 160mm, core flow rate of 0.5 ml/hr, and a sheath flow rate of 0.7 ml/hr. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometry is used to detect peptides presence in the solution before electrospraying and peptide presence in the nanoparticles after electrospraying. UV-VIS detected presence of the TAMS-1 peptide in the electrosprayed nanoparticle at a wavelength of ~280nm. The structure and size of the nanoparticles are explored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Individual nanoparticles were observed to be around 100nm, while conglomerates of the nanoparticles ranged between 100nm-500nm. In-vivo tests were performed. MDSC cell tracking tests show uptake of these nanoparticles to the targeted tumors.