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Targeted tumor computed tomography imaging using low-generation dendrimer-stabilized gold nanoparticles
Hui Liu1, Yanhong Xu, Shihui Wen
1State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, PR China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 19, 2013
Summary
We developed folic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles stabilized by poly(amidoamine) dendrimers for targeted cancer imaging. These nanoparticles show high X-ray attenuation and specific cancer cell targeting for computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Targeted cancer imaging requires contrast agents with high specificity and efficacy.
- Gold nanoparticles offer unique optical and electronic properties for biomedical applications.
- Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers can stabilize nanoparticles and be functionalized for targeted delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop folic acid-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-stabilized gold nanoparticles (FA-Au DSNPs) for targeted computed tomography (CT) imaging.
- To evaluate the stability, biocompatibility, and X-ray attenuation properties of FA-Au DSNPs.
- To demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo targeting and CT imaging capabilities of FA-Au DSNPs in cancer models.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of low-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au DSNPs) using amine-terminated generation 2 PAMAM dendrimers.
- Covalent functionalization of Au DSNPs with folic acid (FA) and acetylation of terminal amines.
- Characterization of FA-Au DSNPs stability (pH, temperature, media), non-cytotoxicity (MTT assay), and X-ray attenuation.
- In vitro targeting of KB cancer cells and in vivo CT imaging of xenografted tumor models.
Main Results:
- Facile synthesis of stable Au DSNPs (5.5 nm core) without additional reducing agents.
- FA-functionalization and acetylation resulted in targeted specificity and improved biocompatibility.
- FA-Au DSNPs exhibited stability across various conditions and were non-cytotoxic up to 3000 nM.
- FA-Au DSNPs demonstrated significantly higher X-ray attenuation than Omnipaque and enabled specific targeting and CT imaging of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions:
- FA-modified low-generation Au DSNPs are promising, biocompatible contrast agents for targeted CT imaging.
- The facile synthesis and modification approach allows for broad applicability in targeting tumors overexpressing folate receptors.
- These nanoparticles offer a potential advancement in cancer diagnostics with enhanced specificity and imaging capabilities.
