Low molecular weight heparin mediating targeting of lymph node metastasis based on nanoliposome and enzyme-substrate interaction

The aim of our study is to develop a new function of low molecular weight heparin (LMWHEP) for targeting tumor metastatic lymph node based on LMWHEP-modified nanoliposome and LMWHEP-heparanase (HPA) interaction (LMWHEP-HPA). At First, LMWHEP-modified nanoliposomes (LMWHEP-LPs) were prepared by the electrostatic attraction and the physiochemical properties were evaluated. Then the effects of LMWHEP-HPA on the stability and drug release were investigated. In addition, the cellular uptake of LMWHEP-LPs was studied by using Hela, MCF-7, L929 and RAW264.7 cells. Finally, the targeting ability as well as the tissue distribution was examined in the mice model bearing Hela tumor lymph node metastasis. LMWHEP-LPs prepared had suitable physicochemical properties. The effect results of LMWHEP-HPA showed that LMWHEP coated on the surface of nanoliposome could be degraded by HPA. Compared with the unmodified-nanoliposome, the LMWHEP modification could improve the cellular uptake and increase the targeting ability to the metastatic lymph nodes according to LMWHEP-HPA. This study demonstrates LMWHEP is a highly promising polymer material for the targeting of tumor lymph node metastasis.