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Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles
Published on: October 16, 2017
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A self-assembling luminescent lanthanide molecular nanoparticle with potential for live cell imaging
Xiaoping Yang1,2, Shiqing Wang1,2, Yali Zhang3
1College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering , Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325035 , China . Email: xpyang@wzu.edu.cn ;
Chemical Science
|June 15, 2018
Summary
New luminescent cadmium-terbium (Cd-Tb) nanoclusters were synthesized using Schiff base ligands. The addition of 1,4-BDC units enhanced luminescence and showed moderate cytotoxicity against SGC and PANC cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Schiff base ligands are crucial in constructing metal-organic frameworks and coordination polymers.
- Lanthanide-based nanoclusters offer unique luminescent properties for potential biomedical applications.
- Cadmium-terbium (Cd-Tb) nanoclusters are explored for their enhanced luminescence and structural versatility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel luminescent Cd-Tb nanoclusters using tailored Schiff base ligands.
- To investigate the structural and luminescent properties of these nanoclusters.
- To evaluate the potential of these nanoclusters as imaging agents and for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of four Cd-Tb nanoclusters ([Tb8Cd24(L1-3)12(OAc)48] and [Tb8Cd24(L2)12(1,4-BDC)4(OAc)38(OH)2]) using chain-like Schiff base ligands.
- Characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural imaging.
- Luminescence spectroscopy to assess energy transfer and emission properties.
- In vitro studies using SGC and PANC cancer cells, including confocal microscopy and ICP-MS for cellular uptake and cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- Drum-like Cd-Tb nanoclusters with sizes up to 32 metals were successfully constructed.
- The incorporation of 1,4-BDC units into nanocluster 4 enhanced luminescence by acting as secondary energy transfer donors.
- Confocal microscopy confirmed the accumulation of nanocluster 4 within SGC and PANC cancer cells.
- Nanocluster 4 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against SGC and PANC cells, with IC50 values ranging from 15-60 μM.
- ICP-MS analysis quantified cellular uptake, showing 0.0094 pmol in SGC and 0.015 pmol in PANC cells after 3 hours.
Conclusions:
- Novel luminescent Cd-Tb nanoclusters were synthesized and structurally characterized.
- The strategic inclusion of 1,4-BDC units significantly improved luminescence properties.
- The nanoclusters demonstrate potential for cancer cell imaging and targeted therapy due to cellular accumulation and moderate cytotoxicity.
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