In situ Synthesis of Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters by Nontumorigenic Microglial Cells.
To date, the directed in situ synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) has only been demonstrated in cancerous cells, with the theorized synthesis mechanism prohibiting AuNC formation in nontumorigenic cell lines. This limitation hinders potential biostabilized AuNC-based technology in healthy cells involving both chemical and mechanical analysis, such as the direct sensing of protein function and the elucidation of local mechanical environments. Thus, new synthesis strategies are required to expand the application space of AuNCs beyond cancer-focused cellular studies. In this contribution, we have developed the methodology and demonstrated the direct in situ synthesis of AuNCs in the nontumorigenic neuronal microglial line, C8B4. The as-synthesized AuNCs form in situ and are stabilized by cellular proteins. The clusters exhibit bright green fluorescence and demonstrate low (<10%) toxicity. Interestingly, elevated ROS levels were not required for the in situ formation of AuNCs, although intracellular reductants such as glutamate were required for the synthesis of AuNCs in C8B4 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first-ever demonstration of AuNC synthesis in nontumorigenic cells and, as such, it considerably expands the application space of biostabilized fluorescent AuNCs.
Abby L
AL
West
Molecular Bioeffects Branch, Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory , Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States.
Nicole M
NM
Schaeublin
Mark H
MH
Griep
Molecular Bioeffects Branch, Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory , Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States.
Elizabeth I
EI
Maurer-Gardner
Daniel P
DP
Cole
Alexis M
AM
Fakner
Molecular Bioeffects Branch, Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory , Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States.
Saber M
SM
Hussain
Shashi P
SP
Karna
D005453:Fluorescence; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D006046:Gold
cell culture bioimaging; gold nanocluster; in situ; neuronal−microglial