Enhanced intracellular translocation and cytokine profiling of gold nanoparticles conjugated with human papilloma virus based (HPV-R9) cell-penetrating peptide in cancer cells

Functionalized gold nanoparticles are emerging as a promising nano carrier for targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules. The present study describes synthesis, characterization and intracellular delivery of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with Ll protein of human papilloma virus peptide (HPV) derived cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugated with R9. HPV-R9 cell penetrating peptide conjugated with AuNPs (fAuNPs) was characterized using UV-visible and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. The cellular uptake of fAuNPs was studied in Vero cells using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The fAuNPs displayed reversible low intracellular aggregation, similar to 20% cytotoxicity but high efficiency and stability in Vero cells. The cytokines study by real-time PCR was performed in 4T1 cells of the IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-gamma, found to be upregulated in comparison to control. The functionalized gold nanoparticles cell penetrating peptide show good intracellular transport to the cellular destinations. Results of this study demonstrate that cell penetrating peptide can be used along with gold nanoparticles for therapeutics application, particularly cancer.