Aptamer/magnetic nanoparticles decorated with fluorescent gold nanoclusters for selective detection and collection of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells from a mixture

Nanotechnology. 2020 Jan 10;31(2):025605. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab484a. Epub 2019 Sep 26.

Abstract

In the present work, a fluorescent gold nanoclusters (GNCs)/superparamagnetic (Fe3O4/GNCs) nanoprobe was prepared via a facile approach for the selective detection and imaging of human leukemica cancer cells (HL-60). (γ-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPS) was used as a stabilizer to prepare functionalized GNCs. The prepared GNCs@MPS was then self-assembly decorated on the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles followed by poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PGD) addition at room temperature to form Fe3O4/GNCs nanoprobe. Surface functionalization of the Fe3O4/GNCs with the thiol-modified KH1C12 aptamer was done through thiol-en click reaction between PGD and the thiol group of the aptamer. An extensive characterization of the Fe3O4/GNCs revealed strong red fluorescence (λ em = 627 nm), T 2-based contrast agent for MRI and excellent colloidal and photo stability in buffer medium. So, the aptamer-functionalized Fe3O4/GNCs nanoprobe (Fe3O4/GNCs/Aptamer) is capable to uptake and dual-image HL-60 cancer cells from a mixture. Furthermore, the MRI signal intensity of the pictures decreased linearly with an increase in the concentrations of the nanoprobe. It is also enable to detect cancer cells from a range of concentrations 10 up to 200 cells μL-1. The fluorescent/magnetic characteristics of the nanoprobe are of great significance for MRI-based and fluorescence imaging and collection of HL-60 cancer cells which implies potential help for the development of early diagnosis of highly malignant human leukemia.

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Peptide / chemistry*
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Fluorescence
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Aptamers, Peptide
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Gold