Quantitative Analysis of Gold Nanoparticles in Single Cells with Time-resolved ICP-MS

Abstract

Single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS) has been introduced for the analysis of intracellular essential elements and nanoparticles (NPs) at the single cell level. However, it is still quite challenging for the accurate and reliable determination. In this work, a high-efficiency sample introduction system was used for single cell analysis with ICP-MS. The system includes a microconcentric nebulizer, a low-volume single pass spray chamber, and a syringe pump. The transport efficiency of single cells was greatly improved to ~12%. In addition, 197 Au signals in individual HepG2 cells, after incubation with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 μM for 12 h, were analyzed by time-resolved ICP-MS with dwell times of 100 μs and 5 ms, respectively. The 197 Au signal-tobackground ratio (S/B) at 100 μs dwell time was much higher than at 5 ms. For quantitative analysis, AuNP standard reference materials and Au standard solutions were used for calibration. The SC-ICP-MS data using NP calibration were in good agreement with those using solution ICP-MS analysis, validating the developed SC-ICP-MS method.

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…Single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been introduced for the analysis of intracellular essential elements and nanoparticles (NPs) at the single cell level although it can be a challenge to produce accurate and reliable results. A report by Liu et al detailed the use of a high-efficiency sample introduction system, comprising a micro-concentric nebuliser, a low-volume single pass spray chamber with a make-up gas port, and a syringe pump to achieve single cell-ICP-MS. 258 The transport efficiency of single cells was 12% with the optimal number of cells in suspension to achieve this value being approximately 10 5 mL −1 . HepG2 cells were incubated with AuNPs, at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 μmol L −1 , prior to analysis using the system.…”

Metallomics in Multidisciplinary Research and the Analytical Advances

“…Owing to the heterogeneity and diversity of individual cells, single-cell analysis is of great importance. Wang et al 42 quantified gold nanoparticles in single cells with time-resolved ICP-MS, a process which can be regarded as single-cell metallomics. 43 Single-cell-based mass cytometry represents a breakthrough technique for the biomedical sciences and precision medicine.…”

Mass Spectrometric Multiplex Detection of MicroRNA and Protein Biomarkers for Liver Cancer

“…In recent years, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) has achieved remarkable success in the multiplex analysis of biomolecules, owing to the superior multielement analysis capability without spectral interference concomitantly. − Advantages like high sensitivity, simple operation, and quick detection offer ICPMS great potential for bioassays. − It is currently being used in the assays of nucleic acid, − protein, − enzyme, − small molecules, and single-cell assays. − Zhang et al realized dual quantification of multiple DNA assays by means of the rare element labeling strategy . Wang’s group designed a satellite structure constructed from Au NPs and up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), with cancer-associated aptamers as linkers to perform a multiplexed assay of protein on exosomes .…”