A study of the cellular uptake of magnetic branched amphiphilic peptide capsules

Authors: NATARAJAN, PAVITHRA - Kansas State University; ROBERTS, JOHNATHAN - Auburn University; KUNTE, NITISH - Auburn University; Hunter, Wayne; FLEMING, SHERRY - Kansas State University; TOMICH, JOHN - Kansas State University; AVILA, ADRIAN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Molecular Pharmacology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2020
Publication Date: 4/23/2020
Citation: Natarajan, P., Roberts, J.D., Kunte, N., Hunter, W.B., Fleming, S.D., Tomich, J.M., Avila, A.L. 2020. A study of the cellular uptake of magnetic branched amphiphilic peptide capsules. Molecular Pharmacology. Molecular Pharmaceutics 17 (6), 2208-2220. https://doi:10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00393..
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00393.

Interpretive Summary: Development of biopesticides to manage insect vectors of pathogens, like psyllid vectors of huanglongbing in citrus, depend upon efficient cell delivery into the citrus tree and the psyllid. An emerging delivery system uses Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsules (BAPC) that are peptide nanoparticles. In trials, these peptides improved delivery of nucleic acids, like double-stranded Ribonucleic Acids, and other therapeutic molecules in plants and insects. Outcomes from these studies provide a fundamental understanding of the cellular uptake of this peptide-based delivery system that will allow for expanding delivery capabilities and expanding their applications in plants, insects and pathogens. BAPC products may eventually provide treatments to reduce psyllid vectors, to reduce the spread of Huanglongbing in citrus trees.

Technical Abstract: Branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPC) are peptide nanoparticles that are being developed as improved delivery systems for nucleic acids, like double-stranded Ribonucleic Acids, and other therapeutic molecules in vitro and in vivo (Plants and Insects). In this study we determined the cellular uptake routes of BAPC with and without a magnetic nanobead core two cell lines. Results suggest that BAPC nanobeads are internalized into the cytosol using more than one endocytic pathway. Outcomes from these studies provide a fundamental understanding of the cellular uptake of this peptide-based delivery system that will allow for expanding delivery capabilities and expanding their applications in plants, insects and pathogens. Improved cell uptake increases activity of the nucleotide cargo. BAPC products may eventually provide treatments to reduce psyllid and other insect vectors, to reduce the spread of Huanglongbing and other plant pathogens.