Issue 2, 2015

Targeted CT imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma using low-generation dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles modified with lactobionic acid

Abstract

Development of cost-effective nanoscale contrast agents for targeted tumor computed tomography (CT) imaging remains a great challenge. Here, we report the synthesis of dendrimer-entrapped AuNPs (Au DENPs) using generation 2 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers pre-modified with fluorescein isothiocyanate via a thiourea linkage and lactobionic acid (LA) via a polyethylene glycol spacer as templates. The formed Au DENPs were characterized via different techniques and were used as a nanoprobe for targeted CT imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We show that the LA-modified Au DENPs with a mean Au core size of 1.8 nm are water-dispersible, colloidally stable under different temperatures (4–50 °C) and pH (5–8) conditions, and cytocompatible in the studied concentration range. Flow cytometry results reveal that the LA-Au DENPs are able to specifically target HepG2 cells (a human HCC cell line) overexpressing asialoglycoprotein receptors via a receptor-mediated targeting pathway. Importantly, the developed LA-Au DENPs can be used as a nanoprobe for targeted CT imaging of HepG2 cells in vitro and the xenografted tumor model in vivo. With the demonstrated organ compatibility, the developed LA-Au DENPs using low-generation dendrimers as templates can be a good candidate to be used as a highly efficient and cost-effective nanoprobe for targeted CT imaging of HCC.

Graphical abstract: Targeted CT imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma using low-generation dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles modified with lactobionic acid

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Sep 2014
Accepted
16 Oct 2014
First published
22 Oct 2014

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015,3, 286-295

Author version available

Targeted CT imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma using low-generation dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles modified with lactobionic acid

Y. Cao, Y. He, H. Liu, Y. Luo, M. Shen, J. Xia and X. Shi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 286 DOI: 10.1039/C4TB01542H

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