title: PPV-Based Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles as a Versatile Bioimaging Probe: A Closer Look at the Inherent Optical Properties and Nanoparticle-Cell Interactions.
abstract: Conjugated polymers have attracted significant interest in the bioimaging field due to their excellent optical properties and biocompatibility. Tailor-made poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) conjugated polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are in here described. Two different nanoparticle systems using poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethoxyoctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) and a functional statistical copolymer 2-(5'-methoxycarbonylpentyloxy)-5-methoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene (CPM-MDMO-PPV), containing ester groups on the alkoxy side chains, were synthesized by combining miniemulsion and solvent evaporation processes. The hydrolysis of ester groups into carboxylic acid groups on the CPM-MDMO-PPV NPs surface allows for biomolecule conjugation. The NPs exhibited excellent optical properties with a high fluorescent brightness and photostability. The NPs were in vitro tested as potential fluorescent nanoprobes for studying cell populations within the central nervous system. The cell studies demonstrated biocompatibility and surface charge dependent cellular uptake of the NPs. This study highlights that PPV-derivative based particles are a promising bioimaging probe and can cater potential applications in the field of nanomedicine.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Neomy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaquen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Olieslaeger
authors.forename: Hannelore
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bové
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.|Imec Associated Lab IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanderzande
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hellings
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.|Imec Associated Lab IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Junkers
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.|Imec Associated Lab IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ethirajan
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D058608:Nanopores; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers