Conjugation of VEGFR1/R2-targeting peptide with gold nanoparticles to enhance antiangiogenic and antitumoral activity

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis through simultaneous targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1 and -2 is highly efficacious. An antagonist peptide of VEGFA/VEGFB, referred to as VGB3, can recognize and neutralize both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 on the endothelial and tumoral cells, thereby inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. However, improved efficacy and extending injection intervals is required for its clinical translation. Given that gold nanoparticles (GNPs) can enhance the efficacy of biotherapeutics, we conjugated VGB3 to GNPs to enhance its efficacy and extends the intervals between treatments without adverse effects. RESULTS: GNP–VGB3 bound to VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) and 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells. GNP–VGB3 induced cell cycle arrest, ROS overproduction and apoptosis and inhibited proliferation and migration of endothelial and tumor cells more effectively than unconjugated VGB3 or GNP. In a murine 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor model, GNP–VGB3 more strongly than VGB3 and GNP inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and increased animal survival without causing weight loss. The superior antitumor effects were associated with durable targeting of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, thereby inhibiting signaling pathways of proliferation, migration, differentiation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and survival in tumor tissues. MicroCT imaging and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry showed that GNP–VGB3 specifically target tumors and exhibit greater accumulation within tumors than the free GNPs. CONCLUSION: Conjugation to GNPs not only improved the efficacy of VGB3 peptide but also extended the intervals between treatments without adverse effects. These results suggest that GNP–VGB3 is a promising candidate for clinical translation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-01198-4.