Effect of PEGylation in liposomal protein corona formation. Characterization of in vitro protein corona formation and the effect of protein corona on cellular uptake of pH-sensitive liposomes in glioblastoma cells

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most lethal brain cancer, characterized by rapid growth and high mortality. Despite advances in diagnosis, surgery, and radiation therapy, glioblastoma remains resistant to treatment. One of the keys to successful anticancer drugs is their ability to reach the target site while minimizing accumulation in other tissues. Most drugs lack the physical and chemical properties and specificity to successfully enter the brain, limiting their ability to reach the tumor. The extracellular environment surrounding the GBM tumor is reported to be acidic. Considering the acidic pH in the tumor environment, we have previously designed and prepared pH-responsive liposomes for glioblastoma targeting and triggered release. We aim to further develop and characterize multifunctional liposomes that specifically target and deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to glioblastoma tumors. This study investigates the effect of PEGylation on cell uptake. We conducted experiments comparing the uptake of PEGylated liposomes with PEG750 and PEG2000 and non-PEGylated liposomes in GL261-cells, and how PC formation can influence the uptake in these three formulations.