Transporter protein-coupled nanodevices for targeted drug delivery
A tripartite nanodevice comprising a targeting portion, a carrier portion, and at least one molecule to be delivered is provided. In particular, a gold nanoparticle linked to a targeting protein and capable of delivering a stimulant for the treatment of respiratory or disease is described. A method of making and a method of using a device of this nature are also described.
1. A tripartite nanodevice comprising:
at least one targeting portion comprising a wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate;
at least one carrier portion comprising a gold nanoparticle having a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 25 nanometers; and
at least one small molecule to be delivered, the at least one small molecule comprising a xanthine derivative.
2. The nanodevice of claim 1 wherein the small molecule to be delivered is a prodrug.
3. The nanodevice of claim 2 wherein the at least one small molecule to be delivered comprises theophylline or a derivative or salt thereof.
4. The nanodevice of claim 2 wherein the at least one small molecule comprises 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine or a derivative or salt thereof.
5. A method of making a nanodevice of claim 1 comprising:
forming a gold nanoparticle having a surface;
reacting the gold nanoparticle with a chemical agent to form functional groups on the surface of the gold nanoparticle;
binding the gold nanoparticle to at least one molecule to be delivered; and
crosslinking the gold nanoparticle to the targeting protein.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the targeting protein comprises at least one variant of a plant lectin.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one molecule comprises a xanthine derivative.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one molecule comprises theophylline or a derivative or salt thereof.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one molecule comprises 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine or a derivative or a salt thereof.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein the gold nanoparticle is reacted with mercaptosuccinic acid to form functional groups on its surface.
11. A method of activating a crossed phrenic pathway in a patient using a nanodevice of claim 1 , the nanodevice being delivered by at least one injection into a diaphragm of the patient.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the at least one injection consists of a single injection.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the nanodevice comprises theophylline or a derivative or salt thereof.
14. The method according to claim 12 wherein the nanodevice comprises 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine or a derivative or salt thereof.
15. The nanodevice of claim 1 , wherein the nanodevice is retrogradely transported into a central nervous system of a mammal when injected into a diaphragm of the mammal.
16. The nanodevice of claim 15 , wherein the nanodevice is transported transsynaptically.
17. The nanodevice of claim 1 , wherein the at least one small molecule comprises theophylline or a derivative or salt thereof.
18. The nanodevice of claim 1 , wherein the at least one small molecule comprises 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine or a derivative or salt thereof.
19. The nanodevice of claim 1 , wherein the at least one small molecule comprises pro-theophylline.
20. The nanodevice of claim 1 , wherein the at least one small molecule is attached to the gold nanoparticle via one of a fast-release linker and a slow-release linker.