
Detecting GPC3-Expressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma with L5 Peptide-Guided Pretargeting Approach: An In Vitro MRI Experiment Pages 5-13
Weiyue Li1,2, Xiang Xiao1, Yikai Xu1, Lichao Ma1, Xiaodan Li1, Liuji Guo1, Chenggong Yan1 and Yuankui Wu1
1Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; 2Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12970/2308-6483.2018.06.02
Download PDFAbstract: Background and Aim: Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a novel molecular target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated the potential of an L5 peptide-guided pretargeting approach to identify GPC3-expressing HCC cells using ultra-small super-paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) as the MRI probe.
Methods: Immunofluorescence with carboxyfluorescein (FAM)-labeled L5 peptide was performed in HepG2 and HL-7702 cells. Polyethylene glycol-modified ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (PEG-USPIO) and its conjugates with streptavidin (SA-PEG-USPIO) were synthesized, and hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potential, T2 relaxivity, and cytotoxicity were measured. MR T2-weighted imaging of HepG2 was performed to observe signal changes in the pretargeting group, which was first incubated with biotinylated L5 peptide and then with SA-PEG-USPIO. Prussian blue staining of cells was used to assess iron deposition.
Results: Immunofluorescence assays showed high specificity of L5 peptide for GPC3. SA-PEG-USPIO nanoparticles had ≈36 nm hydrodynamic diameter, low toxicity, negative charge and high T2 relaxivity. MR imaging revealed that a significant negative enhancement was only observed in HepG2 cells from the pretargeting group, which also showed significant iron deposition with Prussian blue staining.
Conclusion: MR imaging with USPIO as the probe has potential to identify GPC3-expressing HCC through L5 peptide-guided pretargeting approach.
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, magnetic resonance imaging, peptide ligand, iron oxide.
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