title: Determination of quantum dots in single cells by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
abstract: In order to assess cytotoxicity of quantum dots (QDs), new reliable analytical techniques that can provide comparative information at a single-cell level are required. In this study, a single cell ICP-MS (SC-ICP-MS) method was established to determine intracellular QDs in single cells after exposure. Uptake kinetics of QDs into cells was studied using the established method. The results were compared and validated by flow cytometry and cell digestion methods. In contrast to other methods, SC-ICP-MS can directly detect QDs and their degradation products via elements, and thus is a promising complement to available methods for single cell analysis and is expected to be a critical tool in the future.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Han-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Yu-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Zhi-Fang
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Wei-Yue
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007700:Kinetics; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D015335:Molecular Probes
keywords: ICP–MS; Nanotoxicity; Quantum dots; Single cell analysis