High biocompatible FITC-conjugated silica nanoparticles for cell labeling in both in vitro and in vivo models

Abstract

Fluorescence nanosilica-based cell tracker has been explored and applied in cell biological research. However, the aggregation of these nanoparticles at physiological pH is still the main limitation. In this research, we introduced a novel fluorescence nano-based cell tracker suitable for application in live cells. The silica-coated fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer (FITC-SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were modified with carboxymethylsilanetriol disodium salt (FITC-SiO2-COOH), integrating the dianion form of FITC molecules. This nanosystem exhibited superior dispersion in aqueous solutions and effectively mitigated dye leakage. These labeled NPs displayed notable biocompatibility and minimal cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Significantly, the NPs did not have negative implications on cell migration or angiogenesis. They successfully penetrated primary fibroblasts, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HeLa cells in both 2D and 3D cultures, with the fluorescence signal enduring for over 72 h. Furthermore, the NP signals were consistently observed in the developing gastrointestinal tract of live medaka fish larvae for extended periods during phases of subdued digestive activity, without manifesting any apparent acute toxicity. These results underscore the promising utility of FITC-SiO2-COOH NPs as advanced live cell trackers in biological research.

Gold–Silver Nanoboxes: A Systematic Investigation of Their SERS Capability and Dual Functions

“…19,25 Additionally, fluorecent dye-labeled NPs have been exploited for their advantage of as a sensitive optical technique for bioimaging. 26,27 Combining SERS and fluorescence highlights a scope attracting much more attention and great promise for biomedical applications, notably in diagnosis, imaging, and therapy. 28 Prior research has incorporated both techniques using various types of nanoparticles, such as silica nanoparticles, spherical gold nanoparticles, gold nanoflowers, or gold nanostars.…”

“…NBs bound with Raman active molecules have been used for their high SERS signal of the molecules on the NB surface. , Additionally, fluorecent dye-labeled NPs have been exploited for their advantage of as a sensitive optical technique for bioimaging. , Combining SERS and fluorescence highlights a scope attracting much more attention and great promise for biomedical applications, notably in diagnosis, imaging, and therapy . Prior research has incorporated both techniques using various types of nanoparticles, such as silica nanoparticles, spherical gold nanoparticles, gold nanoflowers, or gold nanostars. − However, the combination of SERS and fluorescence in the same nanomaterial system encounters an obstacle due to the need to reduce the quenching by maintaining a distance exceeding 10 nm between the fluorescent dye and the NP .…”