title: ZrO2 nanoparticles labeled via a native protein corona: detection by fluorescence microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy in rat lungs.
abstract: ZrO2 nanoparticles are frequently used in composite materials such as dental fillers from where they may be released and inhaled upon polishing and grinding. Since the overall distribution of ZrO2 NP inside the lung parenchyma can hardly be observed by routine histology, here a labeling with a fluorphore was used secondary to the adsorption of serum proteins. Particles were then intratracheally instilled into rat lungs. After 3 h fluorescent structures consisted of agglomerates scattered throughout the lung parenchyma, which were mainly concentrated in alveolar macrophages after 3 d. A detection method based on Raman microspectroscopy was established to investigate the chemical composition of those fluorescent structures in detail. Raman measurements were arranged such that no spectral interference with the protein-bound fluorescence label was evident. Applying chemometrical methods, Raman signals of the ZrO2 nanomaterial were co-localized with the fluorescence label, indicating the stability of the nanomaterial-protein-dye complex inside the rat lung. The combination of Raman microspectroscopy and adsorptive fluorescence labeling may, therefore, become a useful tool for studying the localization of protein-coated nanomaterials in cells and tissues.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silge
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bräutigam
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bocklitz
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rösch
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vennemann
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000066970:Protein Corona / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D015040:Zirconium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000066970:Protein Corona; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide