Suhrland C., Truman J.P., Sitharaman B.
Stony Brook University, US
Keywords: cancer, ceramide, drug delivery, graphene, nanoparticle, sphingolipid
Dysregulation of the metabolic pathways of the sphingolipid ceramide has been shown to play key roles in cancer cell proliferation and survival. Targeting these pathways with exogenous modulators of ceramide metabolism such as the short chain C6 ceramide is a promising therapy for treating cancer. However, as a lipid ceramide is extremely hydrophobic and requires a delivery system to be soluble in aqueous solution. Current delivery methods are few in number and have critical drawbacks such as low loading efficiency. In order to address the shortcomings of the alternatives, we have developed a method for using oxidized graphene nanoribbons (O-GNRS) as a delivery system for ceramide. Using a novel loading method, we were able to achieve a loading efficiency of 54% for C6 ceramide on O-GNRs. Using the Prestoblue viability assay, we determined that C6 ceramide loaded O-GNRs were able to lower viability of HeLa cells by up to 98% at concentrations of O-GNRs not significantly toxic to cells. We also observed a high degree of uptake of fluorescently-tagged ceramide on O-GNRs in as little as 36 minutes using live-cell confocal microscopy. Taken together, these data suggest that O-GNRs are a promising novel delivery system for ceramide.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Biotech, Biomaterials and Biomedical: TechConnect Briefs 2015
Published: June 14, 2015
Pages: 82 - 85
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Cancer Nanotechnology
ISBN: 978-1-4987-4729-5