Issue 38, 2013

Glutathione-capped fluorescent gold nanoclusters for dual-modal fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging

Abstract

The development of efficient multifunctional nanoprobes for tumour imaging has become a great challenge. Herein, we report for the first time the synthesis of folic acid (FA)-conjugated glutathione (GSH)-capped gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) for dual mode fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging of gastric cancer. Water-soluble GSH-capped Au NCs were synthesized by using tetrabutylammonium borohydride (TBAB) as the reducing agent, and was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The AuNCs@GSH showed excellent photoluminescence properties and negligible cytotoxicity at a concentration as high as 200 μg mL−1. Folic acid was covalently anchored to the AuNCs@GSH; the nanoprobe showed highly selective targeting of the gastric cancer MGC-803 cells revealed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining results showed that AuNCs@GSH displayed no toxicity to important organs. In conclusion, the FA-conjugated AuNCs@GSH nanoprobe can be used for gastric cancer fluorescence imaging and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. Therefore, the applications of AuNCs@GSH could be extended and bring more benefits to nanotechnology as an ideal biomedical platform.

Graphical abstract: Glutathione-capped fluorescent gold nanoclusters for dual-modal fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Jun 2013
Accepted
11 Jul 2013
First published
11 Jul 2013

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013,1, 5045-5053

Glutathione-capped fluorescent gold nanoclusters for dual-modal fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging

C. Zhang, Z. Zhou, Q. Qian, G. Gao, C. Li, L. Feng, Q. Wang and D. Cui, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013, 1, 5045 DOI: 10.1039/C3TB20784F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements