title: CdTe quantum dots induce activation of human platelets: implications for nanoparticle hemocompatibility.
abstract: New nanomaterials intended for systemic administration have raised concerns regarding their biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Quantum dots (QD) nanoparticles have been used for diagnostics, and recent work suggests their use for in vivo molecular and cellular imaging. However, the hemocompatibility of QDs and their constituent components has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, comprehensive investigation of QD-platelet interactions is presented. These interactions were shown using transmission electron microscopy. The effects of QDs on platelet function were investigated using light aggregometry, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, flow cytometry, and gelatin zymography. Platelet morphology was also analyzed by phase-contrast, immunofluorescence, atomic-force and transmission electron microscopy. We show that the QDs bind to platelet plasma membrane with the resultant upregulation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and P-selectin receptors, and release of matrix metalloproteinase-2. These findings unravel for the first time the mechanism of functional response of platelets to ultrasmall QDs in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Santos-Martinez
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Marek W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Radomski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; AMBER and CRANN, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Adriele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prina-Mello
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; AMBER and CRANN, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Volkov
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation; D045663:Quantum Dots; D011791:Quartz; D058525:Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D019007:P-Selectin; C546937:SELP protein, human; D011791:Quartz; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride
keywords: aggregometry; flow cytometry; platelets; quantum dots; quartz crystal microbalance; transmission electron microscopy; zymography