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Updated: May 11, 2026
Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Folic acid-conjugated silica capped gold nanoclusters for targeted fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging
Background:
Gastric cancer is 2th most common cancer in China, and is still the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. Successful development of safe and effective nanoprobes for in vivo gastric cancer targeting imaging is a big challenge. This study is aimed to develop folic acid (FA)-conjugated silica coated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) for targeted dual-modal fluorescent and X-ray computed tomography imaging (CT) of in vivo gastric cancer cells.
Method:
AuNCs were prepared, silica was coated on the surface of AuNCs, then folic acid was covalently anchored on the surface of AuNCs, resultant FA-conjugated AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes were investigated their cytotoxicity by MTT method, and their targeted ability to FR(+) MGC803 cells and FR(-) GES-1 cells. Nude mice model loaded with MGC803 cells were prepared, prepared nanoprobes were injected into nude mice via tail vein, and then were imaged by fluorescent and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Results:
FA-conjugated AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes exhibited good biocompatibility, and could target actively the FR(+) MGC-803 cells and in vivo gastric cancer tissues with 5 mm in diameter in nude mice models, exhibited excellent red emitting fluorescence imaging and CT imaging.
Conclusion:
The high-performance FA-conjugated AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes can target in vivo gastric cancer cells, can be used for fluorescent and CT dual-mode imaging, and may own great potential in applications such as targeted dual-mode imaging of in vivo early gastric cancer and other tumors with FR positive expression in near future.
Insights
Researchers developed folic acid-conjugated silica coated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs@SiO2) for targeted gastric cancer imaging. These nanoprobes show promise for dual-modal fluorescent and CT imaging of early-stage gastric cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death globally, particularly in China.
- Developing safe and effective nanoprobes for in vivo gastric cancer imaging remains a significant challenge.
- Targeted imaging is crucial for early detection and treatment of gastric cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop folic acid (FA)-conjugated silica coated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs@SiO2) for targeted dual-modal imaging of gastric cancer.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and targeting ability of the developed nanoprobes.
- To assess the efficacy of the nanoprobes for in vivo fluorescent and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging of gastric cancer.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of AuNCs, followed by silica coating and FA conjugation to create AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes.
- Cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT method and evaluation of targeting specificity against FR(+) MGC803 and FR(-) GES-1 cells.
- In vivo studies using nude mice models with MGC803 cells, involving tail vein injection of nanoprobes and subsequent fluorescent and CT imaging.
Main Results:
- FA-conjugated AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes demonstrated good biocompatibility.
- Active targeting of folate receptor-positive (FR(+)) MGC-803 cells and in vivo gastric cancer tissues (5 mm diameter) was achieved.
- Excellent red-emitting fluorescence and CT imaging capabilities were observed.
Conclusions:
- The developed FA-conjugated AuNCs@SiO2 nanoprobes are effective for targeted in vivo gastric cancer cell imaging.
- These nanoprobes enable dual-mode fluorescent and CT imaging, showing potential for early gastric cancer detection.
- The nanoprobes hold significant promise for future applications in imaging FR-positive tumors.
