In Depth Mapping of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Malignant Glioma Cells Using Scattering-Type Scanning
George E Greaves1, Alessandra Pinna2,3,4, Jonathan M Taylor2
1Experimental Solid State Physics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College, Exhibition Road, SW72AZ London, U.K.
Chemical & Biomedical Imaging
|December 30, 2024
Summary
Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) offers a label-free method to visualize mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) uptake in glioblastoma cells. This technique distinguishes surface-bound from internalized nanoparticles, crucial for nanomedicine development.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Cell Biology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are biocompatible nanocarriers with potential in nanomedicine.
- Accurate imaging of nanoparticle-cell interactions is vital for developing nanomedicines.
- Conventional imaging methods often require labels that can interfere with biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) for imaging nanoparticle uptake.
- To chemically map the internalization of MSNPs in human glioblastoma cells.
- To differentiate surface-associated from internalized MSNPs without labels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized s-SNOM, combining infrared spectroscopy with scanning probe microscopy.
- Applied s-SNOM to image whole human glioblastoma cells interacting with MSNPs.
- Acquired simultaneous topographical and chemical information.
Main Results:
- Successfully mapped the uptake of MSNPs in glioblastoma cells using s-SNOM.
- Demonstrated the ability to distinguish surface-associated from internalized MSNPs.
- Topographical data provided insights into the embedding status of MSNPs.
Conclusions:
- s-SNOM is a powerful label-free technique for studying nanomedicine-cell interactions at the nanoscale.
- This method provides critical information on nanoparticle internalization, relevant for cancer research.
- s-SNOM advances the ability to characterize nanocarrier behavior in biological systems.
