Protein-conjugated quantum dots effectively delivered into living cells by a cationic nanogel.
Quantum dots (QDs) have attracted attention for their potential as a cell imaging regent. However, the development of effective intracellular delivery system for QDs is needed to apply various cell lines without affecting cellular function. We reported here new QDs delivery system by using cationic nanogel consisting of cholesterol-bearing pullulan modified with an amino group (CHPNH2). The uptake of hybrid nanoparticles into HeLa cells was followed by flow cytometry, and confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Protein-conjugated QDs were effectively internalized into cells by the nanogel compared with a cationic liposome system. The hybrid nanoparticle was used to stain rabbit mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) so as to evaluate their effect on cell function. CHPNH2-QD hybrid nanoparticles remained detectable inside MSCs for at least 2 weeks of culture and had little effect on the in vitro chondrogenic ability of MSCs. The hybrid nanoparticles are a promising candidate as a cell tracer in tissue engineering.
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10, Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan.
Sayaka
S
Toita
Urara
U
Hasegawa
Hideyuki
H
Koga
Ichiro
I
Sekiya
Takeshi
T
Muneta
Kazunari
K
Akiyoshi
D002412:Cations; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005782:Gels; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D053758:Nanoparticles; D045663:Quantum Dots
D002412:Cations; D005782:Gels