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Absolute Quantification of Nanoparticle Interactions with Individual Human B Cells by Single Cell Mass Spectrometry
Nathan D Donahue1, Vinit Sheth1, Alex N Frickenstein1
1Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States.
Nano Letters
|May 5, 2022
Summary
We developed a method to count nanoparticles interacting with single human B cells. Positively charged nanoparticles showed significantly higher association and internalization compared to neutral ones.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding nanoparticle-cell interactions is crucial for nanomaterial design.
- Quantifying these interactions at the single-cell level is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for absolute quantification of nanoparticle-cell interactions.
- To investigate the impact of nanoparticle charge on B cell association and internalization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized quadrupole-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for single nanoparticle and single cell quantification.
- Analyzed interactions between human B cells and positively charged versus neutrally charged nanoparticles.
- Confirmed nanoparticle internalization via energy-dependent pathways (endocytosis).
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient and accurate detection of individual B cells and nanoparticles.
- Observed an approximately 100-fold higher association of positively charged nanoparticles with B cells compared to neutral nanoparticles.
- >80% of single B cells showed nanoparticle positivity via dual analyte ICP-MS.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a novel ICP-MS workflow for high-resolution quantification of nanoparticle-cell interactions.
- The study provides insights into charge-dependent nanoparticle uptake by immune cells.
- This method can guide the rational design of nanomaterials for targeted cellular applications.
