Dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles as a platform for cancer-cell targeting and imaging.
We present a general approach for the targeting and imaging of cancer cells using dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs). Au DENPs were found to be able to covalently link with targeting and imaging ligands for subsequent cancer-cell targeting and imaging. The Au DENPs linked with defined numbers of folic acid (FA) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FI) molecules are water soluble, stable, and biocompatible. In vitro studies show that the FA- and FI-modified Au DENPs can specifically bind to KB cells (a human epithelial carcinoma cell line) that overexpress high-affinity folate receptors and they are internalized dominantly into lysosomes of target cells within 2 h. These findings demonstrate that Au DENPs may serve as a general platform for cancer imaging and therapeutics.
Shi
Xiangyang
X
Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. xshi@umich.edu
Wang
Suhe
S
Meshinchi
Sasha
S
Van Antwerp
Mary E
ME
Bi
Xiangdong
X
Lee
Inhan
I
Baker
James R
JR
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D050091:Dendrimers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D050091:Dendrimers; D006046:Gold