Bio-molecule-conjugated fluorescent organically modified silica nanoparticles as optical probes for cancer cell imaging.

Abstract

Organically modified silica nanoparticles doped with Nile Red were synthesized and characterized. Silica encapsulation is relatively transparent for light and can protect hydrophobic Nile Red against denaturalization induced by the extreme bio-environment, making the entire nanoparticle hydrophilic and possess stable optical properties. The nanoparticles were conjugated with bio-molecules (such as apo-transferrin and folic acid), and our in vitro experiments revealed that these functionalized nanoparticles can serve as effective optical probes for specific targeting of cancer cells. As a preliminary study for future in vivo animal experiment, ORMOSIL nanoparticles were further co-conjugated with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and apo-transferrin and the conjugates were also very good for in vitro targeting of HeLa cells. These bio-molecule functionalized ORMOSIL nanoparticles may serve as a robust tool for early diagnosis/therapy of cancer and other diseases.

• Authors: Jun Qian, Xin Li, Ming Wei, Xiangwei Gao, Zhengping Xu, Sailing He
• Journal: Optics express (Opt Express) Vol. 16 Issue 24 Pg. 19568-78 (Nov 24 2008) ISSN: 1094-4087 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19030044 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Oxazines
• Siloxanes
• Solutions
• Transferrin
• ormosil
• Silicon Dioxide
• nile red

Topics

• Animals
• COS Cells
• Chlorocebus aethiops
• Computer Simulation
• HeLa Cells
• Humans
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional (methods)
• Light
• Molecular Probe Techniques
• Nanoparticles (chemistry, ultrastructure)
• Neoplasms (pathology)
• Oxazines
• Silicon Dioxide (metabolism)
• Siloxanes (metabolism)
• Solutions
• Spectrometry, Fluorescence
• Transferrin (metabolism)