Preparation and characterization of folic acid conjugated sulfated polysaccharides on NK cell activation and cellular uptake in HeLa cells

In this study, the sulfated polysaccharide (SP) of Codium fragile was conjugated to folic acid (SP-FA). FT-IR and H-1 NMR techniques revealed the occurrence of esterification reaction between the hydroxyl group of SP and the gamma-carboxyl group of FA that confirming the SP-FA conjugation. SP and SP-FA did not show any direct toxicity on NK cells and HeLa cells. However, the treatment of SP and SP-FA enhance the NK cells cytotoxicity against HeLa cells by the upregulation of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, perforin, and Granzyme-B. Moreover, NK cells activation was stimulated through NF-KB and MAPK pathways. The binding capacity studies exposed the targeting ability of HeLa cells by folate receptor (FR) which was assessed by a confocal quantitative image cytometer analysis. These results indicate that SP-FA could be used as selective drug delivery systems for targeting FR-overexpressed cancer cells with less toxicity.

Automated summary

In this study, the sulfated polysaccharide (SP) of Codium fragile was conjugated to folic acid (SP-FA) through esterification reaction, showing no direct toxicity on NK cells and HeLa cells. Treatment with SP and SP-FA enhanced NK cells cytotoxicity against HeLa cells by upregulating IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, perforin, and Granzyme-B, while also activating NK cells through NF-KB and MAPK pathways. The binding capacity studies demonstrated the targeting ability of SP-FA towards FR-overexpressed cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a selective drug delivery system.