Characterization of a fluorescence probe based on gold nanoclusters for cell and animal imaging

Chen, Haiyan; Li, Bowen; Wang, Chuan; Zhang, Xin; Cheng, Zhengqi; Dai, Xi; Zhu, Rui; Gu, Yueqing

doi:10.1088/0957-4484/24/5/055704

Cited by 35 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…The transport through the nucleopores of the cells is regulated by nuclear pore complexes which allow the diffusion of ions and small molecules (<40–60 kDa) across the nuclear envelope [56] and facilitate the receptor-mediated bidirectional transport of cargo molecules containing specific signals such as proteins, or RNAs [57,58]. There are several other reports showing that gold nanoparticles smaller than 1.4 nm in diameter can also pass through the cell membrane and even through nuclear membrane diffusely [59]. In the previous report, we have calculated that synthesized photoluminescent Au-MES NCs consist of ~9 gold atoms [45,60] showing that the size of the nanoclusters should be ~0.5 nm in diameter.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoluminescent Gold Nanoclusters in Cancer Cells: Cellular Uptake, Toxicity, and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Matulionytė

Dapkutė

Budenaite

et al. 2017

IJMS

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In recent years, photoluminescent gold nanoclusters have attracted considerable interest in both fundamental biomedical research and practical applications. Due to their ultrasmall size, unique molecule-like optical properties, and facile synthesis gold nanoclusters have been considered very promising photoluminescent agents for biosensing, bioimaging, and targeted therapy. Yet, interaction of such ultra-small nanoclusters with cells and other biological objects remains poorly understood. Therefore, the assessment of the biocompatibility and potential toxicity of gold nanoclusters is of major importance before their clinical application. In this study, the cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of bovine serum albumin-encapsulated (BSA-Au NCs) and 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES)-capped photoluminescent gold nanoclusters (Au-MES NCs) were investigated. The results showed that BSA-Au NCs accumulate in cells in a similar manner as BSA alone, indicating an endocytotic uptake mechanism while ultrasmall Au-MES NCs were distributed homogeneously throughout the whole cell volume including cell nucleus. The cytotoxicity of BSA-Au NCs was negligible, demonstrating good biocompatibility of such BSA-protected Au NCs. In contrast, possibly due to ultrasmall size and thin coating layer, Au-MES NCs exhibited exposure time-dependent high cytotoxicity and higher reactivity which led to highly increased generation of reactive oxygen species. The results demonstrate the importance of the coating layer to biocompatibility and toxicity of ultrasmall photoluminescent gold nanoclusters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoluminescent Gold Nanoclusters in Cancer Cells: Cellular Uptake, Toxicity, and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Matulionytė

Dapkutė

Budenaite

et al. 2017

IJMS

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“…However, using small molecules as the templates and reductants has not drawn that much attention for synthesizing high fluorescent AuNCs compared with other templates. Several small molecules have been exploited in the fabrication of AuNCs such as amino acid [80][81][82][83], peptide [84,85], dimethylformamide [43,78], and Good's buffers [86]. The report using amino acid as a reactant for preparing AuNCs is scarce.…”

Section: "Atoms To Clusters" Routementioning

confidence: 99%

Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Synthesis and Recent Biological Application

et al. 2015

Journal of Nanomaterials

113

112

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Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been extensively studied due to their unique construction and distinctive properties, which place them between single metal atoms and larger nanoparticles. The dimension of AuNCs is comparable to the Fermi wavelength of electrons, which lead to size-dependent fluorescence and other molecule-like properties. In this review, we summarize various synthesis strategies of fluorescent AuNCs and recent advances of biological applications such as biosensing, biolabeling, and bioimaging. The synthetic methods are considered as two routes: "Atoms to Clusters" and "Nanoparticles to Clusters. " The surface functionalization of AuNCs is described as the precondition for making future bioapplications possible, which can eventually influence their stability, biocompatibility, and other properties. And then we focus on the recent advances of AuNCs-based applications in biological sensing, biolabeling, and bioimaging and finally discuss the current challenges of AuNCs in controllable synthesis and biological application.

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“…59 Au-MPA was constructed by the conjugation of bluish-green fluorescence-containing gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) and a NIR organic dye, MPA, and displayed low toxicity and high affinity to tumor. 60 In another study, folic acid (FA) was linked to Au NCs followed by MPA conjugation (Au-FA-MPA). Doxorubicin (DOX), a clinically used anticancer drug, was then conjugated to the folate-conjugated Au NCs.…”

Section: Gold Nanostructuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Near-infrared fluorescent probes in cancer imaging and therapy: an emerging field

Yi¹,

Wang²,

Qin³

et al. 2014

IJN

211

149

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Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an attractive modality for early cancer detection with high sensitivity and multi-detection capability. Due to convenient modification by conjugating with moieties of interests, NIRF probes are ideal candidates for cancer targeted imaging. Additionally, the combinatory application of NIRF imaging and other imaging modalities that can delineate anatomical structures extends fluorometric determination of biomedical information. Moreover, nanoparticles loaded with NIRF dyes and anticancer agents contribute to the synergistic management of cancer, which integrates the advantage of imaging and therapeutic functions to achieve the ultimate goal of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate probe design with targeting moieties can retain the original properties of NIRF and pharmacokinetics. In recent years, great efforts have been made to develop new NIRF probes with better photostability and strong fluorescence emission, leading to the discovery of numerous novel NIRF probes with fine photophysical properties. Some of these probes exhibit tumoricidal activities upon light radiation, which holds great promise in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photoimmunotherapy. This review aims to provide a timely and concise update on emerging NIRF dyes and multifunctional agents. Their potential uses as agents for cancer specific imaging, lymph node mapping, and therapeutics are included. Recent advances of NIRF dyes in clinical use are also summarized.

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Characterization of a fluorescence probe based on gold nanoclusters for cell and animal imaging

Cited by 35 publications

References 38 publications

Photoluminescent Gold Nanoclusters in Cancer Cells: Cellular Uptake, Toxicity, and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Photoluminescent Gold Nanoclusters in Cancer Cells: Cellular Uptake, Toxicity, and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Synthesis and Recent Biological Application

Near-infrared fluorescent probes in cancer imaging and therapy: an emerging field

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