d-Fructose-Decorated Poly(ethylene imine) for Human Breast Cancer Cell Targeting

Englert, Christoph; Pröhl, Michael; Czaplewska, Justyna; Kellner, Carolin; Preußger, Elisabeth; Schubert, Ulrich S.; Träger, Anja; Gottschaldt, Michael
Abstract:
The high affinity of GLUT5 transporter for d-fructose in breast cancer cells has been discussed intensely. In this contribution, high molar mass linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI) is functionalized with d-fructose moieties to combine the selectivity for the GLUT5 transporter with the delivery potential of PEI for genetic material. The four-step synthesis of a thiol-group bearing d-fructose enables the decoration of a cationic polymer backbone with d-fructose via thiol-ene photoaddition. The functionalization of LPEI is confirmed by 2D NMR techniques, elemental analysis, and size exclusion chromatography. Importantly, a d-fructose decoration of 16% renders the polymers water-soluble and eliminates the cytotoxicity of PEI in noncancer L929 cells, accompanied by a reduced unspecific cellular uptake of the genetic material. In contrast, the cytotoxicity as well as the cell specific uptake is increased for triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Therefore, the introduction of d-fructose shows superior potential for cell targeting, which can be assumed to be GLUT5 dependent.
Research areas:
Year:
2017
Type of Publication:
Article
Journal:
Macromolecular Bioscience
Volume:
-
Number:
-
DOI:
10.1002/mabi.201600502