title: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active gold nanochains for multiplex detection and photodynamic therapy of cancer.
abstract: Multifunctional nanomedicine holds considerable promise as the next generation of medicine that will enable early detection of diseases, as well as simultaneous monitoring and therapy with minimal toxicity. In particular, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology with high sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities is emerging as a powerful alternative for identifying specific biological targets in live cells. In this paper, we present the synthesis of SERS-active gold nanochains (AuNCs) as a potential theranostic system for multiplex detection and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. AuNCs were prepared by a simple physical mixing method to assemble citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles into nanochains using hyaluronic acid and hydrocaffeic acid (HA-HCA) conjugates as templates. In addition, Raman reporters and photosensitizers (PSs) were conjugated onto the surface of the AuNCs for multiplex detection and PDT action. After mixing with HA-HCA conjugates, citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles formed the AuNC structure, and AuNC length was controlled by the HCA conjugation ratio in the HA-HCA conjugates. AuNCs exhibited maximal absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region and effective SERS property. Confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, Raman spectroscopy and Bio-TEM measurements were used to determine cellular uptake of the Raman reporter, PS and AuNCs in HeLa cells. AuNCs conjugated with Raman reporter and PS (HA-HCAn-Au-Pheo-NPT) showed more than 99% cellular uptake and exhibited excellent phototoxicity even at low PS concentrations compared with free PS after laser irradiation. This SERS-active AuNC (HA-HCAn-Au-Pheo-NPT) shows promise for applications in theranostics, integrating SERS imaging and PDT.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea.
authors.forename: Linlin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, South Korea; Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, South Korea; Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, South Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, 330-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute Korea, Dankook University, Cheonan 330-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea; Department of Chemical Engineering Education, College of Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea. Electronic address: kimsy@cnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: So Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000067493:Dynamic Light Scattering; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012996:Solutions; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002109:Caffeic Acids; D012996:Solutions; D006046:Gold; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; C040048:caffeic acid
keywords: Gold nanochains; Multiplex detection; Photodynamic therapy; SERS; Theranostics