Poly(acrylic acid)-grafted graphene oxide as an intracellular protein carrier

Thangavelu Kavitha, Inn Kyu Kang, Soo Young Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

A pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid)-grafted graphene oxide (GO-PAA) nanocarrier was synthesized by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization to allow the oral delivery of hydrophilic macromolecular proteins in their active forms to specific cells or organs. The synthesis, morphology, and physiochemical properties of GO-PAA were examined. A model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (BSAFITC), was loaded onto GO-PAA through noncovalent interactions and its release was arrested at acidic pH similar to stomach, whereas at pH similar to intestine it was reduced, which paves way for site specific delivery without its degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Confocal laser microscopy showed that the BSAFITC-loaded GO-PAA was internalized by KB cells by endocytosis and released into cytoplasm. Thus the GO-PAA as a transmembrane transporter is a new class of drug transporters with potential protein delivery applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)402-409
Number of pages8
JournalLangmuir
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 14 Jan 2014

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