This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The objective of this proposal is to develop cross-linked core polyion nanocarrier (PNC) for the targeted systemic delivery of siRNA to activated microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) to attenuate tumor angiogenesis and subsequent tumor growth. We posit that 1) the binding selectivity of siRNA-loaded PNCs for the surface of activated MVEC can be increased against untargeted cells of the vascular compartment;(2) targeted PNC-siRNA will efficiently internalize and release siRNA within activated MVEC;and 3) increasing intracellular delivery of siRNA with PNCs targeted for the surface of activated MVEC will increase siRNA activities against tumor angiogenesis and subsequent tumor growth. A vascular cell-restricted protein required for angiogenesis, p73RhoGAP, will be targeted by siRNA. The hypotheses will be tested using mouse dermal MVEC in vitro and a mouse model of melanoma in vivo. First, PNC structure and targeting ligand modifications that maximize the binding selectivity of PNC-siRNA for the surface of activated MVEC and intracellular siRNA release will be established. Second, the efficacy of targeted PNC-siRNA against MVEC proliferation and migration will be determined in vitro. Third, the biodistribution and efficacy of targeted PNC-siRNA against tumor vascular function and tumor growth will be determined in vivo. If successful this work will lead to more efficient anti-angiogenesis treatments of cancer.
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