Sizes Of Colloidal Gold Particles Research Articles

Preparation of Colloidal Gold Immunochromatographic Strip for Detection of Paragonimiasis skrjabini

BackgroundParagonimiasis is a food-borne trematodiasis, a serious public health issue and a neglected tropical disease. Paragonimus skrjabini is a unique species found in China. Unlike paragonimiasis westermani, it is nearly impossible to make a definitive diagnosis for paragonimiasis skrjabini by finding eggs in sputum or feces. Immunodiagnosis is the best choice to detect paragonimiasis skrjabini. There is an urgent need to develop a novel, rapid and simple immunoassay for large-scale screening patients in endemic areas.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo develop a rapid, simple immunodiagnostic assay for paragonimiasis, rabbit anti-human IgG was conjugated to colloidal gold particles and used to detect antibodies in the sera of paragonimiasis patients. The synthesis and identification of colloidal gold particles and antibody-colloidal gold conjugates were performed. The size of colloidal gold particles was examined using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The average diameter of colloidal gold particles was 17.46 nm with a range of 14.32–21.80 nm according to the TEM images. The formation of antibody-colloidal gold conjugates was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Excretory-secretory (ES) antigen of Paragonimus skrjabini was coated on nitrocellulose membrane as the capture line. Recombinant Staphylococcus protein A was used to prepare the control line. This rapid gold immunochromatographic strip was assembled in regular sequence through different accessories sticked on PVC board. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the strip was 94.4% (51/54) and 94.1% (32/34) respectively using ELISA as the standard method. Its stability and reproducibility were quite excellent after storage of the strip at 4°C for 6 months.Conclusions/SignificanceImmunochromatographic strip prepared in this study can be used in a rapid one-step immunochromatographic assay, which is instantaneous and convenient.

Tissue distribution of gold nanoparticles after single intravenous administration in mice

Nanoparticles (a part of matter which size is less than 100 nm) have numerous potential applications in biomedicine, due to their unique surface, electronic and optical properties. The goal of the present study was to examine the distribution of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in mice after single intravenous administration. Spherical GNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with ascorbic acid as a reductant. GNPs were stabilized using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, m.w. = 67000Da) a substance approved for use in the pharmaceutical industry. The size of colloidal gold particles (diameter equals 25 ± 8 nm) was determined using HR SEM and DLS techniques; ζ potential of GNPs was determined using Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS and it equals -5.2 ± 5.4 mV. An aqueous dispersion of GNPs was administered to mice in a dose of about 10 cm(3)/kg and 24 h later the amount of gold in different organs was determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP MS). Initial concentration of GNPs equals 29.55 mg/l. GNPs after single intravenous administration preferentially accumulated in the liver (12.7% of the applied dose), while the other organs accumulated around 0.1% or less. Colloidal GNPs of the used size (about 25 ± 8 nm) provide new potential route for direct delivery system to the liver, which may be important e.g., in liver cancer diagnosis.

ChChd3, an Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Protein, Is Essential for Maintaining Crista Integrity and Mitochondrial Function

The mitochondrial inner membrane (IM) serves as the site for ATP production by hosting the oxidative phosphorylation complex machinery most notably on the crista membranes. Disruption of the crista structure has been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we characterize ChChd3, a previously identified PKA substrate of unknown function (Schauble, S., King, C. C., Darshi, M., Koller, A., Shah, K., and Taylor, S. S. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 14952–14959), and show that it is essential for maintaining crista integrity and mitochondrial function. In the mitochondria, ChChd3 is a peripheral protein of the IM facing the intermembrane space. RNAi knockdown of ChChd3 in HeLa cells resulted in fragmented mitochondria, reduced OPA1 protein levels and impaired fusion, and clustering of the mitochondria around the nucleus along with reduced growth rate. Both the oxygen consumption and glycolytic rates were severely restricted. Ultrastructural analysis of these cells revealed aberrant mitochondrial IM structures with fragmented and tubular cristae or loss of cristae, and reduced crista membrane. Additionally, the crista junction opening diameter was reduced to 50% suggesting remodeling of cristae in the absence of ChChd3. Analysis of the ChChd3-binding proteins revealed that ChChd3 interacts with the IM proteins mitofilin and OPA1, which regulate crista morphology, and the outer membrane protein Sam50, which regulates import and assembly of β-barrel proteins on the outer membrane. Knockdown of ChChd3 led to almost complete loss of both mitofilin and Sam50 proteins and alterations in several mitochondrial proteins, suggesting that ChChd3 is a scaffolding protein that stabilizes protein complexes involved in maintaining crista architecture and protein import and is thus essential for maintaining mitochondrial structure and function.

Electrophoretic and Electrolytic Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles on a Graphite Carbon Plate

Nobel metal particles with nanometer size have attracted keen interest because of, for example, their high catalytic activity to be applied for industrial applications. In this study, nano-sized gold particles were deposited onto a graphite carbon plate by two approaches: 1) electrophoresis of colloidal gold nanoparticles, 2) electrolysis of chlorauric acid. For former case, commercially-available gold nanoparticle and anionic mercapto ligand-stabilized gold nanoparticles, synthesized by citric acid reduction of chlorauric acid, were used. Size and morphology of the gold particles deposited were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Electrolytic deposition resulted in larger gold particles around tens to hundreds nm in size. Electrophoretic deposition accomplished particle sizes smaller than 15 nm, which basically reflected the size of colloidal gold particles used.

Preparation of colloidal gold immunochromatography strip for detection of methamidophos residue

Methamidophos (Met) is a broad spectrum organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide. Even a trace of its residue is harmful to humans and many animals. In this study, the synthesis and identification of colloidal gold particles and antibody-colloidal gold conjugates were performed, and the preparation of colloidal gold immunochromatography strip was conducted for detection of Met residue. The size of colloidal gold particles was checked using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The formation of antibody-colloidal gold conjugates was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The preparation of colloidal gold immunochromatography strips, analysis of Met standard solutions, and other four pesticides and vegetable samples were operated with common methods and principals. The TEM images showed the average diameter of colloidal gold particles was almost the same size: approximately 40.0 nm in diameter. For the conjugation of colloidal gold and monoclonal antibody (MAb), 0.03 mg/ml of MAb was confirmed to be the minimum amount for stabilization of colloidal gold. With the prepared colloidal gold immunochromatography test strip to determine the standard Met solution, the results demonstrated a detection limit of approximately 1.0 mg/ml. Cross-reaction indicated that the strip had a high specificity to Met. The results of 10 green vegetable sample tests confirmed that one sample was positive by HPLC analysis. There was evidence to suggest that colloidal gold particles and antibody-colloidal gold conjugates were synthesized successfully. The prepared colloidal gold immunochromatography strip was applicable for preliminary screening of Met residue.

Low Noise Electron Microscopy by Merging Multiple Images Digitized from Conventional Films with Reference to the Mouse Kidney

In a conventional transmission electron microscope system, the resolution is regarded as an absolute limitation, that is, 0.2 nm in theory and 0.6 nm in sections of biological materials. However, in an oversampled system, this limitation can be broken. In the present study, 60-nm-thick Epon sections from a mouse kidney were used. From these sections tight junctions located in the distal tubule were selected as test objects. Sets of up to 15 electron microscope images of the same target were recorded on negatives at x10,000, x13,000, and x63,000, respectively. The recorded films were digitized using a light microscope equipped with a digital camera. In each set the images were expanded, aligned, and merged into a more highly resolved output image. Each output image revealed details in the tight junction, which were not visible at the original magnifications. Two different sizes of colloidal gold particles (10 nm and 1 nm) conjugated with an immunoglobin G (IgG) served as references. With this improvement of resolution, it becomes possible to inspect some barely visible biologic (virus) particles and structures, such as glycogen and free ribosomes in their native environment.

Immunocytochemical colocalization of desmin and vimentin in human fetal skeletal muscle cells.

Desmin and vimentin are the major intermediate filaments in muscle. They have been extensively studied in animal experiments. This study is the first to identify the distribution and to analyse the correlation of desmin and vimentin in human fetal skeletal muscle. Vimentin might be replaced by or transformed into desmin during myogenesis in chick embryo, although the precise process remains to be elucidated. The aim of this report is to evaluate the ratio of desmin to vimentin in human fetal muscle. By double-labeling immunoelectron microscopy, desmin and vimentin intermediate filaments were localized in developing skeletal muscles of 20-29-week-old human fetuses. The ratio of desmin and vimentin was analyzed statistically. Two sizes of colloidal gold particles, 5 nm (vimentin) and 10 nm (desmin), were distributed along the intermediate filaments. The commonest distance between gold particles was approximately 40-50 nm. Desmin and vimentin labeled with gold particles were arranged very close together in the same intermediate filament. The ratio of vimentin to desmin varied but the amount of vimentin decreased progressively from the undifferentiated myoblast to the differentiated myocytes. As the fetuses developed, desmin increased and vimentin decreased. Desmin and vimentin intermediate filaments were identified in the intermyofibrils of differentiated myocytes, in subsarcolemmal space, and in myoblast. Desmin and vimentin were colocalized in the same intermediate filaments. More vimentin existed in the less differentiated myocytes, although a small number of desmin filaments were already found in undifferentiated myoblasts. These intermediate filaments may not only connect myofibril bundles, cell organelles, and cell membrane but also provide a basis for myofibrillogenesis that is similar to relation between connective fibers and parenchymal cells.

Immunogold-Silver Staining Method for Lymphocyte Cell Surface Antigens with Light, Transmission Electron, and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract The immunogold-silver staining (IGSS) method combined with light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy (LM, TEM and SEM, respectively) was used for detecting lymphocyte surface antigens. Two different sizes of colloidal gold particles (5 nrn and 15 nm) were applied as markers and IntenSEII kit as a physical developer for gold particles.The silver enhanced gold particles were clearly observed on cell surfaces as black dots in LM and TEM and as white dots in SEM equipped with a mixed signal of secondary electron and back-scattered electron (SE/BE) signals. Monoclonal antibody (MAb)-positive cells possessing the complexes on their well preserved surfaces were easily identified among other lymphoid cells at low magnifications of LM or SEM equipped with SE/BE signals. Thus, the IGSS method has a great advantage for a qualitative screening such as the percentage of lymphocyte subsets in a cell suspension. However, the IGSS method was inadequate for semiquantitative study with antigen...

DNA sequence mapping using electron microscopy

DNA sequences can be mapped on chromosomes at high resolution in the electron microscope after hybridization with a nonisotopically labeled probe followed by detection with a two-step antibody reaction employing a colloidal gold tag. Hybridization probes can be modified with biotin-dUTP, digoxigenin-dUTP, dinitrophenyl-dUTP, or N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF). The availability of different sizes of colloidal gold particles permits the simultaneous detection of several sequences. In addition, low signals can be amplified either with an antibody sandwich scheme or by silver intensification. This technology is applicable both to TEM and SEM preparations of chromosomes, and we have used it to map a number of highly and moderately repeated sequences on whole mount metaphase chromosomes.

Immunogold-silver staining method for light and electron microscopic detection of lymphocyte cell surface antigens with monoclonal antibodies.

We used the immunogold-silver staining method (IGSS) for detection of lymphocyte cell surface antigens with monoclonal antibodies in light and electron microscopy and compared this procedure with the immunogold staining method. Two different sizes of colloidal gold particles (5 nm and 15 nm) were used in this study. Immunolabeling on cell surfaces was visualized as fine granules only by IGSS in light microscopy. The labeling density (silver-gold complexes/cell) and diameters of silver-enhanced gold particles on cell surfaces were examined by electron microscopy. Labeling density was influenced not by the enhancement time of the physical developer but by the size of the gold particles. However, the development of shells of silver-enhanced gold particles correlated with the enhancement time of the physical developer rather than the size of the colloidal gold particles. Five-nm gold particles enhanced with the physical developer for 3 min were considered optimal for this IGSS method because of reduced background staining and high specific staining in the cell suspensions in sheep lymph. Moreover, this method may make it possible to show the ultrastructure of identical positive cells detected in 1-micron sections counterstained with toluidine blue by electron microscopy, in addition to the percentage of positive cells by light microscopy.

Immunoelectron Microscopy of <italic>Proteus vulgaris</italic> by the Plasma Polymerization Metal-Extraction Replica Method: Differential Staining of Flagellar (H) and Somatic (O) Antigens by Colloidal Golds

Flagellar (H) and somatic (O) antigens of Proteus vulgaris were differentially stained with antibodies coupled to different sizes of colloidal gold particles, and the distribution of these antigens was visualized by the plasma polymerization metal-extraction replica (PMR) method. The H antigen, labeled with 5 nm colloidal gold, was almost exclusively located on the flagella, whereas the O antigen, labeled with 10 nm colloidal gold, was almost exclusively located on the bacterial body. The marker gold particles were clearly observed as electron-dense particles on the relatively low contrast background of three-dimensional replica image of the flagellated bacteria. Thus, the PMR method may prove to be a useful tool for studying the localization of multiple substances on the cell surface, at a high resolution and in three dimensions. The diameter of the flagella measured by the replica method was about 15 nm, close to the value obtained by negative staining (16 nm). When treated with anti-flagellar (H) factor serum and protein A-gold, the diameter of flagella was significantly increased to about 35 nm. This increase in diameter was presumably caused by binding of immunoglobulins to H antigens of flagella.

High-Resolution SEM of Colloidal Gold Labels

Colloidal gold, conjugated to a number of biologically active molecules, including ligand and antibody, provides a useful label for light microscopy and electron microscopy. This stems, in part, from its color, density, and regular spherical shape although the ability to make the particles in a number of defined sizes, the ease of conjugation to biological material, and the retention of activity of bound molecules are also important factors.Although nearly all sizes of colloidal gold particles, from 2.0 nm on up, can be identified in transmission or high voltage transmission electron microscopy, it has generally been the larger sized particles, 15 nm and up, that have proved useful for scanning electron microscopic studies. This is due principally to the resolution limits of conventional SEMs and the need to employ backscattered electron imaging, BEI, to unambiguously define the gold labels.

Murine endodermal cytokeratins Endo A and Endo B are localized in the same intermediate filament.

The intracellular distribution of extra-embryonic endodermal, cytoskeletal proteins A (Endo A) and B (Endo B) was investigated by double-label immunofluorescent microscopy and double-label immunoelectron microscopy. In parietal endodermal cells, the immunofluorescent distribution of Endo B was always coincident with that of Endo A and could be distinguished from vimentin, particularly at the periphery of the cell. At the electron microscopic level, antibodies against both Endo A and Endo B recognized both bundles and individual intermediate filaments. Double-label immunoelectron microscopy was achieved by use of two sizes of colloidal gold particles (5 nm and 20 nm) that were stabilized with secondary antibodies. These results show that Endo A and B are found in the same intermediate filament and probably co-polymerize to form such structures.

Pea seed storage proteins ? Immunocytochemical localization with protein a-gold by electron microscopy

The pea seed storage proteins legumin and vicilin have been localized by electron microscopy using a post-embedding immunocytochemical double-labelling technique. Highly purified antibodies from sheep, specific to legumin and vicilin, were sequentially reacted on sections of pea cotyledon tissue embedded in glycol methacrylate or Spurr's epoxy resin. The sheep antibodies were visualized indirectly by reaction with Staphylococcal Protein A labelled with colloidal gold. Two discrete sizes of colloidal gold particles can be used for simultaneous localization of two antigens. In near mature tissue, the storage proteins are restricted to organelles, called protein bodies. Individual protein bodies contain both legumin and vicilin.