Abstract
Because they generate excellent images, nanoparticles (NPs), especially biosynthesized NPs, provide a new solution for tumor imaging. In this research, we unveil a novel type of biosynthesized NPs featuring multicolor fluorescence. These NPs exhibit little cytotoxicity to cells. The explored NPs, designated Zn-ZFP-GST NPs (Zinc NPs in abbreviation), are generated from leukemia cells treated with a Zn2+ solution, while zinc-finger protein and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were also identified in the Zinc NPs. Under near-UV illumination, the Zinc NPs simultaneously emit green, yellow, and red fluorescence. In addition, the intensity of the fluorescence increases with the existence of sulfides. Besides, the NPs are encapsulated by microvesicles (MVs) shed from the plasma membrane. As observed in whole-body research of nude mice, the NP-MVs migrate via blood circulation and are distinguished by their fluorescent signals. Furthermore, the folic acid (FA) & AVR2 (human VEGF antibody)-coated NP-MVs are exploited to target the tumor location, and the feasibility of this approach has been confirmed empirically. The Zinc NPs shed light on an alternative solution to tumor detection.
Highlights
Biosynthesis of Zinc NPs encapsulated by microvesicles in cancer cells
In the case of KA cells incubated with Zn2+ solutions, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image (Fig. 1A c) displayed typical microstructure changes in tumor cells compared with those in untreated cells (Fig. 1A a)
Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) observation further indicated that the calculated atom content of Zn in cancer cells changed significantly after incubation with Zn2+ solutions
Summary
Several studies have exploited novel ways to synthesize the NPs biologically, at either the organism or cell level[18,22,23,24,25]. Gold nanoclusters were developed using cancer cells. This method has the advantage of a large amount of nanomaterial production due to rapid cell division[18]. We develop and characterize a novel type of microvesicle (MV)-encapsulated zinc NPs in leukemia cancer cells. These NPs simultaneously emit green, yellow, and red fluorescence signals, impose little cell toxicity and can be readily applied for in vivo imaging. Targeted tumor detection can be performed with antibodies attached to the MV surface, affording fluorescence images at different wavelengths and avoiding background interference by the multiple color fluorescence
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
