Hybrid Hierarchical Heterostructures of Nanoceramic Phosphors as Imaging Agents for Multiplexing and Living Cancer Cells Translocation.

David G Calatayud,Josefa Isasi,Haobo Ge,Sofia I Pascu,Vincenzo Mirabello,Lorena Alcaraz,Pablo Arévalo,Rory L Arrowsmith,Fernando Cortezon-Tamarit,Amador C Caballero,Mara S Bernardo,Teresa Jardiel,Marco Peiteado

doi:10.1021/acsabm.0c01417

Abstract

Existing fluorescent labels used in life sciences are based on organic compounds with limited lifetime or on quantum dots which are either expensive or toxic and have low kinetic stability in biological environments. To address these challenges, luminescent nanomaterials have been conceived as hierarchical, core–shell structures with spherical morphology and highly controlled dimensions. These tailor-made nanophosphors incorporate Ln:YVO4 nanoparticles (Ln = Eu(III) and Er(III)) as 50 nm cores and display intense and narrow emission maxima centered at ∼565 nm. These cores can be encapsulated in silica shells with highly controlled dimensions as well as functionalized with chitosan or PEG5000 to reduce nonspecific interactions with biomolecules in living cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy in living prostate cancer cells confirmed the potential of these platforms to overcome the disadvantages of commercial fluorophores and their feasibility as labels for multiplexing, biosensing, and imaging in life science assays.

Highlights

Recent advances in bioinspired fabrication approaches, which can combine nanomaterials self-assembly, molecular recognition, and soft matter chemistry processes, have led to sustainable methods to produce functional materials with nanometer precision.[1]
With a view to the possible multiplexing applications of the conceived biomarkers, the high efficiency and narrow emission in the visible region of Ln-YVO4 nanophosphor formulations are based on their selection as the luminescent cores of the composites
The recorded X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that all reflections can be indexed to a tetragonal symmetry corresponding to a zircon-type structure (ICDD N. 17−0341), with no differences being observed upon changing the lanthanide ion, see Figure 2a

Summary

Introduction

Recent advances in bioinspired fabrication approaches, which can combine nanomaterials self-assembly, molecular recognition, and soft matter chemistry processes, have led to sustainable methods to produce functional materials with nanometer precision.[1]. Biomedical imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool for personalized and targeted medicine.[21,22] Industrial and academic research users in this sector require access to advanced and affordable monitoring tools and testing facilities that can accelerate the development of new and safe medical technologies. Recent studies have demonstrated that the applications of fluorescent labels in biomedical imaging

Methods

Results

Conclusion