Hydrophobic nanotubes and nanoparticles as transporters for the delivery of drugs into cells

摘要

Methods and materials for delivering biologically active molecules to cells in vitro or in vivo are provided. The methods and materials use carbon nanotubes or other hydrophobic particles, tubes and wires, functionalized with a linking group that is covalently bound to the nanotubes, or, alternatively, to the biologically active molecule, such as a protein. The biologically active molecule is preferably released from the nanotube when the complex has been taken up in an endosome.

主权项

1. A method for preparing an active agent for delivery to a living cell, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrophilic polymer linked to the active agent and also linked to a hydrophobic polymer; (b) adsorbing the hydrophobic polymer onto a nanoparticle, thereby forming a complex with said nanoparticle, wherein the complex is noncovalently adsorbed onto the nanoparticle by hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic polymer, and wherein the nanoparticle is a carbon nanotube; and
preparing a stable suspension comprising suspended nanoparticles wherein the suspended nanoparticles are comprised in the complex formed in step (b).