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Biocompatible Magnetic Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Optical and Lifetime Imaging Applications in the First
Struan Bourke1, Federico Donà2, Yurema Teijeiro Gonzalez1
1Department of Physics, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, U.K.
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
|November 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed novel fluorescent nanoparticles by encapsulating a red-emitting conjugated polymer and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) within micelles. These biocompatible nanoparticles are effective for live-cell imaging in HeLa cells and zebrafish embryos.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials Science
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Conjugated polymers are promising organic semiconductors for bioimaging.
- Developing stable and biocompatible fluorescent probes is crucial for advanced microscopy.
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) offer magnetic properties for potential theranostic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To encapsulate a bright-red-emitting conjugated polymer (CN-FO-DPD) and SPIONs into poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA) micelles.
- To characterize the optical, physical, and biological properties of the resulting nanoparticles.
- To evaluate their utility in fluorescence microscopy of living cells and organisms and assess their cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Micelle formation using poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA) as a stabilizer.
- Encapsulation of a specific conjugated polymer (CN-FO-DPD) and SPIONs within the micelles.
- Characterization of particle size, zeta potential, emission spectra, and fluorescence quantum yield.
- Cellular uptake studies and fluorescence microscopy imaging of HeLa cells and zebrafish embryos.
- Cytotoxicity assays on HEK, HeLa, and HCE cell lines.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed stable micelles encapsulating CN-FO-DPD and SPIONs.
- The resulting nanoparticles showed a red emission peak at 657 nm with a fluorescence quantum yield of 21%.
- Particles had an average diameter of 65 nm and a zeta potential of -30 mV, indicating good colloidal stability and biocompatibility.
- Demonstrated effective cellular uptake and successful application in fluorescence microscopy of live HeLa cells and zebrafish embryos.
- Exhibited minimal cytotoxicity in HEK, HeLa, and HCE cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed PSMA-micelle-encapsulated CN-FO-DPD and SPIONs are effective fluorescent probes for live-cell and embryo imaging.
- The nanoparticles possess favorable optical and physical properties for bioimaging applications.
- The low cytotoxicity suggests potential for in vivo applications and further development.
