AuNP-DG: deoxyglucose-labeled gold nanoparticles as X-ray computed tomography contrast agents for cancer imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility of using 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-labeled gold nanoparticle (AuNP-DG) as a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent with tumor targeting capability through in vitro experiments.


METHODS
Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were fabricated and were conjugated with 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The human alveolar epithelial cancer cell line, A-549, was chosen for the in vitro cellular uptake assay. Two groups of cell samples were incubated with the AuNP-DG and the unlabeled AuNP, respectively. Following the incubation, the cells were washed with sterile PBS to remove the excess gold nanoparticles and spun to cell pellets using a centrifuge. The cell pellets were imaged using a microCT scanner immediately after the centrifugation. The reconstructed CT images were analyzed using a commercial software package.


RESULTS
Significant contrast enhancement in the cell samples incubated with the AuNP-DG with respect to the cell samples incubated with the unlabeled AuNP was observed in multiple CT slices.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this study demonstrate enhanced uptake of 2-DG-labeled gold nanoparticle by cancer cells in vitro and warrant further experiments to study the exact molecular mechanism by which the AuNP-DG is internalized and retained in the tumor cells.
Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. baydogan@radonc.bsd.uchicago.edu
Bulent
B
Aydogan
Ji
J
Li
Tijana
T
Rajh
Ahmed
A
Chaudhary
Steven J
SJ
Chmura
Charles
C
Pelizzari
Christian
C
Wietholt
Metin
M
Kurtoglu
Peter
P
Redmond
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D006046:Gold