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Specific Tumor Cell Detection by a Metabolically Targeted Aggregation-Induced Emission-Based Gold Nanoprobe
Xiaohan Kong1, Yangwen Sun1, Qian Zhang1
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
ACS Omega
|June 6, 2022
Summary
A new cationic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanoprobe detects circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in liquid biopsies. This AIE nanoprobe offers a promising tool for early cancer diagnosis and real-time monitoring of tumor progression.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Diagnostics
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
- Tumor cells possess distinct surface charges due to high glycolysis, offering a target for detection.
- Existing methods for CTC detection require improvement in specificity and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cationic fluorescence "turn-on" aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanoprobe for specific tumor cell detection.
- To utilize gold nanorods (GNRs) functionalized with AIE dye for enhanced detection capabilities.
- To evaluate the nanoprobe's efficiency, specificity, and safety in capturing and detecting various tumor cell types.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a cationic AIE nanoprobe (GNRs-PEG-TPEI) by conjugating tetraphenylethene (TPE) and polyethylenimine (PEI) to gold nanorods (GNRs).
- Characterized the nanoprobe for particle size, surface charge, and surface modification load.
- Performed in vitro stability tests and cellular imaging experiments with different tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2, Caco-2).
- Assessed the nanoprobe's toxicity to captured cells.
Main Results:
- The GNRs-PEG-TPEI nanoprobe exhibited uniform particle size (172 nm) and a strong positive surface charge (+54.87 mV).
- The nanoprobe demonstrated efficient recognition and specific fluorescence signaling with tumor cells, showing minimal background interference.
- In vitro stability was verified, and the nanoprobe proved safe for captured cells with no significant toxicity.
Conclusions:
- A specific and efficient cationic AIE nanoprobe was successfully developed for capturing and detecting various tumor cells.
- The nanoprobe leverages the unique metabolic characteristics of tumor cells for targeted detection.
- This technology holds significant promise for early cancer diagnosis and monitoring of tumor progression via CTC detection in liquid biopsies.
