title: Linker-free conjugation and specific cell targeting of antibody functionalized iron-oxide nanoparticles.
abstract: Specific targeting is a key step to realize the full potential of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications, especially tumor-associated diagnosis and therapy. Here, we developed anti-GD2 antibody conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles for highly efficient neuroblastoma cell targeting. The antibody conjugation was achieved through an easy, linker-free method based on catechol reactions. The targeting efficiency and specificity of the antibody-conjugated nanoparticles to GD2-positive neuroblastoma cells were confirmed by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy. These detailed studies indicated that the receptor-recognition capability of the antibody was fully retained after conjugation and the conjugated nanoparticles quickly attached to GD2-positive cells within four hours. Interestingly, longer treatment (12 h) led the cell membrane-bound nanoparticles to be internalized into cytosol, either by directly penetrating the cell membrane or escaping from the endosomes. Last but importantly, the uniquely designed functional surfaces of the nanoparticles allow easy conjugation of other bioactive molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA.
authors.forename: Yaolin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Dana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Baiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sherwood
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McElreath
authors.affiliation: Alabama Innovation and Mentoring of Entrepreneurs, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lackey
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA.
authors.forename: Yuping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bao