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Biofunctionalized Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Multimodal Molecular Imaging Applications
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Surface engineering of organic nanoparticles for highly improved bioimaging
Yanqiu Liu1, Xiujuan Zhang1, Mengjiao Zhou1
1Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou Jiangsu, 215123, PR China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|September 1, 2017
Summary
Mesoporous silica nanoshells enhance fluorescent nanoparticle imaging by improving cellular uptake and reducing excretion. This boosts imaging brightness and delivery efficiency for sensitive, long-term cell tracking.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nanoparticle (NP) surface properties critically influence biological interactions and imaging capabilities.
- Developing advanced nanomaterials is essential for improving cellular imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of mesoporous silica nanoshells to control the cellular internalization and intracellular fate of fluorescent organic NPs.
- To enhance cellular imaging performance using surface-modified NPs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic study of NP internalization, intracellular transport, and excretion in cells.
- Comparison of mesoporous silica nanoshell-coated NPs with NPs possessing different surface properties.
- Evaluation of imaging brightness and delivery efficiency.
Main Results:
- Silica nanoshell coating resulted in over tenfold enhancement in imaging brightness.
- NPs with silica nanoshells exhibited significantly higher delivery efficiency compared to other NPs.
- Internalization occurred via unique non-clathrin- and non-caveolae-mediated pathways, leading to rapid uptake.
- Low cellular excretion rates were observed for silica-coated NPs.
Conclusions:
- Mesoporous silica nanoshells effectively regulate NP cellular internalization and intracellular fate.
- The enhanced imaging brightness and delivery efficiency are attributed to specific cellular uptake pathways and reduced excretion.
- Silica surface modification offers a promising strategy for sensitive, long-term cellular imaging and tracking applications.
