Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: We report the preparation of S-aroylthiooxime (SATO) functionalized amphiphilic block copolymer micelles that release hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous signaling molecule of relevance to various physiological and pathological conditions. The micelles release H2S in response to cysteine with a half-life of 3.3 h, which is substantially slower than a related small molecule SATO. Exogenous administration of H2S impacts growth and proliferation of cancer cells; however, the limited control over H2S generation from inorganic sulfide sources results in conflicting reports. Therefore, we compare the cellular cytotoxicity of SATO-functionalized micelles, which release H2S in a sustained manner, to Na2S, which releases H2S in a single dose. Our results show that H2S-releasing micelles significantly reduce the survival of HCT116 colon cancer cells relative to Na2S, GYY4137, and a small molecule SATO, indicating that release kinetics may play an important role in determining toxicity of H2S toward cancer cells. Furthermore, H2S-releasing micelles are well tolerated by immortalized fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 cells), suggesting a selective toxicity of H2S toward cancer cells.
Source: Molecular Pharmaceutics
Institution: Virginia Tech
Language: English
Topic: Sulfur Compounds in Biology
Subfield: Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W2595415744