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Nanosensors to Detect Protease Activity In Vivo for Noninvasive Diagnostics
Published on: July 16, 2018
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Active tumor-targeting luminescent gold clusters with efficient urinary excretion
Xiaojuan Wang1, Hua He, Yanan Wang
1State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China. fhuang@upc.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 30, 2016
Summary
Novel luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) utilize a pentapeptide for tumor targeting and retention. These CRGDS-AuNCs show high tumor specificity and rapid urinary excretion, minimizing liver uptake.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) offer unique optical properties for biomedical applications.
- Developing targeted nanoprobes with efficient clearance is crucial for in vivo imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize active targeting luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs).
- To evaluate the tumor-specific retention and biodistribution of CRGDS-AuNCs.
- To assess the pharmacokinetic profile and excretion pathway of the developed nanoclusters.
Main Methods:
- One-pot synthesis of luminescent gold nanoclusters stabilized by a pentapeptide (CRGDS).
- In vivo evaluation of tumor targeting and retention using CRGDS-AuNCs.
- Analysis of biodistribution and assessment of tumor-to-liver uptake ratio.
- Monitoring of hydrodynamic diameter and surface properties for excretion analysis.
Main Results:
- CRGDS-AuNCs demonstrated high tumor-specific retention.
- An exceptionally high tumor-to-liver uptake ratio of 9.3 was achieved.
- The nanoclusters exhibited a small hydrodynamic diameter and zwitterionic surface.
- Urinary excretion reached 82% within 24 hours post-injection.
Conclusions:
- CRGDS-AuNCs are effective active targeting luminescent probes with excellent tumor specificity.
- The nanocluster design facilitates rapid clearance via urinary excretion, reducing off-target accumulation.
- These findings highlight the potential of CRGDS-AuNCs for advanced biomedical imaging and diagnostics.
