Abstract
In the following review we discuss several types of nanoparticles (such as TiO2, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles) and their impact on the ability to image biological components in fixed cells. The review also discusses factors influencing nanoparticle imaging and uptake in live cells in vitro. Due to their unique size-dependent properties nanoparticles offer numerous advantages over traditional dyes and proteins. For example, the photostability, narrow emission peak, and ability to rationally modify both the size and surface chemistry of Quantum Dots allow for simultaneous analyses of multiple targets within the same cell. On the other hand, the surface characteristics of nanometer sized TiO2allow efficient conjugation to nucleic acids which enables their retention in specific subcellular compartments. We discuss cellular uptake mechanisms for the internalization of nanoparticles and studies showing the influence of nanoparticle size and charge and the cell type targeted on nanoparticle uptake. The predominant nanoparticle uptake mechanisms include clathrin-dependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Highlights
Implementation of nanoparticle use in cell biology has been one of the most exciting developments in this field in the past 5 years
This review focuses on optically fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots and noble metal nanoparticles with size- and shape-dependent optical properties
In this review we focused on nanoparticles that have been used for cellular imaging; either in live or fixed cells
Summary
Implementation of nanoparticle use in cell biology has been one of the most exciting developments in this field in the past 5 years. Depending on the type of cell treated, the size, and the surface charge of the nanoparticle conjugate (nanoconjugate), different cellular uptake mechanisms are used by cells—most often clathrindependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. Compared to traditional fluorescent dyes and proteins, modified quantum dots and gold nanoparticles possess alternative properties that enhance their imaging capabilities in cells that are fixed before imaging. These nanoparticles enable multi-functional analyses of single samples using different forms of detection. In primary rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells (RCEC) uptake of fluorescent Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles was inhibited upon potassium depletion (clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor) but not by filipin
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