Russian scientists have created polymer nanoparticles that kill cancer. These particles are associated with antitumor trail DR5 protein, which causes cell death. Briefly on the study tells in a press release on the SDUNUKI website.rf.
Trail is a cytokine that interacts with five cell receptors. When binding to two of them – DR4 and DR5 – the signals of apoptosis are launched, that is, programmable cell death. However, the three other receptors slow down the transmission of signals or block them at all. In addition, the body itself may not produce enough cytokines to suppress the growth of the tumor, and the artificially entered TRAIL is quickly excreted from the body.
researchers created modified cytokines, which are more likely to contact with DR4 or DR5 receptors. Trail DR5 aimed at DR5, and this modified cytokine is delivered to the target organ with nanoparticles consisting of amphiphilic (that is, with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties at the same time) polymers.
In an aqueous solution, polymer molecules spontaneously form nanoscale spherical particles with a hydrophilic surface and a hydrophobic core. These areas are captured inside the molecules or carry them on the surface. The size of each particle reaches about 200 nanometers, and the sphere itself carries several molecules of antitumor cytokine TRAIL DR5-B. In total, one milligram nanoparticles accounts for up to five protein micrograms.