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The rational synthesis and use of nanomaterials require the characterization of many different properties, ranging from particle size and size distribution over surface chemistry to more applicationrelevant features like optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. In the following, several methods for the characterization of functional groups on nanomaterials, like polymer and silica nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, and lanthanide-based upconversion nanocrystals are presented. Additionally, procedures for the measurement of the key spectroscopic performance parameters of nanomaterials with linear and nonlinear photoluminescence, such as the photoluminescence quantum yield, are presented for the UV/vis/NIR/SWIR.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials. Aiming at the development of fast and easy to use, automated microscopic methods for the determination of the genotoxicity of different types of nanoparticles, we assess the potential of the fluorometric γH2AX assay for this purpose. This assay, which can be run on an automated microscopic detection system, relies on the detection of DNA double strand breaks as a sign for genotoxicity3. Here, we provide first results obtained with broadly used nanomaterials like CdSe/CdS and InP/ZnS quantum dots as well as iron oxide, gold, and polymer particles of different surface chemistry with previously tested colloidal stability and different cell lines like Hep-2 and 8E11 cells, which reveal a dependence of the genotoxicity on the chemical composition as well as the surface chemistry of these nanomaterials. These studies will be also used to establish nanomaterials as positive and negative genotoxicity controls or standards for assay performance validation for users of this fluorometric genotoxicity assay. In the future, after proper validation, this microscopic platform technology will be expanded to other typical toxicity assays.
Biophotonics and analytics - Photoluminescence properties of nanocrystals and surface group analysis
(2018)
Correlating the photoluminescence (PL) properties of nanomaterials like semiconductor nanocrystals (QDs) and upconversion nanocrystals (UCNPs) assessed in ensemble studies and at the single particle level and studying their surface chemistry is increasingly relevant for applications of these nanomaterials in the life and material sciences. Here we present a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of ensembles and single nanocrystalline emitters and simple methods for the quantification of functional groups and ligands on particle surfaces. The overall goal of this study was to derive particle architectures and surface chemistries well suited for spectroscopic and microscopic applications.
We report the synthesis and characterization of carbon nanodots (CDs) with high quantum yield (>50%) and tailored optical absorption as well as emission properties. A well-described protocol with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as amine precursor is used as a reference to a new CD system which is stabilized by aromatic 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP) molecules instead. The DAP stabilizer is installed in order to red-shift the absorption peak of the n-π* electron transition allowing efficient radiative recombination and light emission. Size, shape, and chemical composition of the samples are determined by (HR)TEM, EDX and FTIR-spectroscopy. Optical parameters are investigated using UV-VIS, PL and QY measurements. Several parameters such as concentration, excitation wavelength and pH are studied. Zeta-potential analysis indicate that pH-induced (de-)protonation processes of functional moieties directly affect the n-π* energy bands. This results in unique pH-dependent absorption and emission characteristics which are discussed on the specific chemical composition of each CD system.
Functionalized nanomaterials (NM) with their unique size-dependent properties are of increasing relevance for current and future developments in various fields such as medical and pharmaceutical industry, computing, electronics or food and consumer products. The performance and safety of NM are determined by the sum of their intrinsic physicochemical properties.1 Besides other key parameters, the particle surface chemistry, which is largely controlled by the chemical nature and density of functional groups and ligands, must be considered for a better performance, stability, and processibility of NM, as well as their interaction with the environment. Thus, particle standards with well-designed surfaces and methods for functional group quantification can foster the sustainable development of functional and safe(r) NM.2 Here we provide a brief overview of the ongoing research in division Biophotonics to design tailored amorphous silica reference particles with bioanalytically relevant functional groups and ligands, for the development of standardized and validated surface functional group quantification methods.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls not only for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials, but also for standardized and validated methods for surface analysis.
4,5 The analysis and quantification of surface chemistry is hence in the focus of an increasing number of standardization organizations and interlaboratory comparisons with different analytical methods are being done.5 For the monitoring of nanomaterial synthesis and the fast assessment of the number of functional groups such as carboxyl and amino functionalities, which are very commonly used functionalities in the life sciences, simple and validated methods are needed that can be performed with common laboratory instrumentation. 5,6 Here we provide a brief overview of the ongoing research in division Biophotonics employing quantitative NMR (qNMR), conductometry, and colorimetric and fluorometric optical assays for the determination of the total and the accessible number of carboxyl and amino groups on differently sized polymer and silica nano- and microparticles.5-7
Imaging of Eu doped very small iron oxide nanoparticle in atherosclerotic plaques via LA ICP-MS
(2018)
Atherosclerotic lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using very small iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). VSOP accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and thus serve as an atherosclerosis probe.
The aim of this project was to image the distribution of europium doped VSOP (Eu-VSOP) by laser ablation ICP-MS in histological thin cuts of the aortic root region of ApoE knockout mouse model that is rich in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, it was investigated whether VSOP accumulation in the plaques correlates with other biomarkers of inflammation for example macrophages and altered endothelium to assess whether it correlates with instability or vulnerability of the plaque regions. For this purpose, antibodies were labeled with various lanthanide elements and correlated with the Eu-VSOP distribution using LA-ICP-MS in a multiplex measurement mode.
A possible correlation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with endogenous iron or Eu-VSOP can also be detected by LA-ICP-MS. For this purpose, ROS-specific antibodies were also labeled with lanthanides.
Imaging of Eu doped very small iron oxide nanoparticle in atherosclerotic plaques via LA-ICP-MS
(2018)
Atherosclerotic lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using very small iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). VSOP accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and thus serve as an atherosclerosis probe. The aim of this project was to image the distribution of europium doped VSOP (Eu-VSOP) by laser ablation ICP-MS in histological thin cuts of the aortic root region of ApoE knockout mouse model that is rich in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, it was investigated whether VSOP accumulation in the plaques correlates with other biomarkers of inflammation for example macrophages and altered endothelium to assess whether it correlates with instability or vulnerability of the plaque regions. For this purpose, antibodies were labeled with various lanthanide elements and correlated with the Eu-VSOP distribution using LA-ICP-MS in a multiplex measurement mode.
Imaging of Eu doped very small iron oxide nanoparticle in atherosclerotic plaques via LA-ICP-MS
(2018)
Atherosclerotic lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using very small iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). VSOP accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and thus serve as an atherosclerosis probe.
The aim of this project was to image the distribution of europium doped VSOP (Eu-VSOP) by laser ablation ICP-MS in histological thin cuts of the aortic root region of ApoE knockout mouse model that is rich in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, it was investigated whether VSOP accumulation in the plaques correlates with other biomarkers of inflammation for example macrophages and altered endothelium to assess whether it correlates with instability or vulnerability of the plaque regions. For this purpose, antibodies were labeled with various lanthanide elements and correlated with the Eu-VSOP distribution using LA-ICP-MS in a multiplex measurement mode.
A possible correlation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) with endogenous iron or Eu-VSOP can also be detected by LA-ICP-MS. For this purpose, RNS-specific antibodies were also labeled with lanthanides.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is nowadays a versatile and powerful analytical method for direct solid sample analysis. The applicability has been demonstrated for a wide variety of samples covering hard and soft materials. In an imaging mode the technique provides quantitative information on the elemental distribution within a sample. LA-ICP-MS imaging is of particular interest in biomedical research as the distribution of an element gives valuable insight on uptake and distribution of essential and toxic trace elements, administered contrast agents as well es nanoparticles. LA-ICP-MS is therefore a powerful complement to other imaging techniques. Recent instrumental improvements, especially in sample chamber design, have contributed to better sensitivity and spatial resolution enabling subcellular imaging. The book chapter provides a comprehensive overview about spatially resolved localisation and quantification of various nanoparticles in cells and tissue thin sections by LA-ICP-MS. Furthermore, different sample preparation strategies and internal standardisation and calibration approaches for bioimaging by LA-ICP-MS are summarized and discussed.
Metal-containing nanomaterials are used in numerous fields ranging from industrial applications to nanomedicine. Several studies have demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles have an impact on their pharmacokinetics, transfer and clearance. The high sensitivity and multielement capability of LA-ICP-MS enables the elucidation of interactions between tissue components and nanomaterials used as imaging probes or drug carriers. Potential toxic effects are investigated as well. Thus, LA imaging significantly supports the clinical translation of safe and efficient nanoparticles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Nanoparticles (NPs) have found a wide range of applications in research and industry. Thereby the interaction of NPs with biological systems like cells has become a major field of interest, ranging from medical applications to nanotoxicology. Size, shape and surface modification of the nanomaterials determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cells, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes.
In recent years, elemental imaging of biological samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is gaining more and more importance. Improvements concerning both spatial resolution (down to 1 µm) and signal-to-background ratio due to low-dispersion LA chambers make LA-ICP-MS particularly interesting for single cell analysis.
Here LA-ICP-MS was applied for the imaging of individual cells to study the uptake and intracellular processing of metal-containing nanostructures. The cells were incubated with different NPs under varying experimental conditions and afterwards fixed with para-formaldehyde and dried for LA analysis. High-spatial resolution LA-ICP-MS was achieved by careful optimisation of the laser ablation parameters.
Our findings show, that LA-ICP-MS is applicable to localize NP aggregates within cellular compartments. The uptake efficiency depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the nanostructures as well as on the incubation conditions like concentration and incubation time.
The results demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS providing insight into nanoparticle-cell interaction dependent on experimental parameters.
Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are currently applied in a variety of consumer products and are also attractive for medical applications. With their widespread use, the potential for human exposure to NPs — either intended or unintended — is increasing. Therefore, many studies have evaluated the toxicity and transport mechanism of NPs. In comparison with two-dimensional cultured cells, multicellular spheroids (MCS) look promising to be used as a three-dimensional cellular model, having unique advantages in nanoparticle studies due to the fact that interactions with excreted extracellular matrix can be investigated. Fibroblast cells are one of the most important cell systems to express a microenvironment by excreting an abundant extracellular matrix. For bioimaging laser ablation inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used in this investigation to study the interaction of metallic NPs with MCS for multi-element detection offering a wide dynamic range. As a mass spectrometer we have applied a time-of-flight (TOF) instrument for (quasi-) simultaneous detection of all isotopes of elements of interest.
The aim of this study is to investigate the localization of silver (Ag) NPs exposed to fibroblast MCSs by means of LA-ICP-TOF-MS. In addition, for demonstrating elemental microscopy we chose phosphorous (31P) and iron (56Fe) to visualize regions of enriched extracellular matrix and single cells, respectively. In this presentation, we show that exposed Ag NPs are highly accumulated at the same position of single cells in an outer rim of fibroblast MCSs.
In the interest of exploring their potential in the field of single particle analysis, a Microdroplet Generator (MDG) was coupled to an ICP-ToF-MS.
Isotopic Dilution Analysis was also incorporated for the size determination of three different Platinum Nanoparticles samples (50, 63 and 70 nm). The performance of the technique was validated by comparison to traditional size characterization techniques (sp-ICP-ToF-MS, TEM), while the robustness of the technique was proven by incorporating NaCl in the samples’ matrix, up to 100 mg/L.
Nanoparticle suspensions were microprinted onto TEM grids for subsequent analysis by SEM/TSEM and evaluation of particle numbers using Image J software. Various nanoparticle types, concentrations and printing conditions (temperature, rel. humidity) were evaluated in order to determine the optimal conditions for producing a uniform distribution of particles on the substrate and eliminating the coffee ring effect.
Nano- and microparticles are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. Examples are their use as carriers for dye molecules and drugs, multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement strategies in optical assays, targeted probes for bioimaging, and biosensors. All these applications require surface functionalization of the particles with e.g., ligands (to tune the dispersibility and prevent unspecific interactions), crosslinkers, sensor dyes, or analyte recognition moieties like biomolecules, and subsequently, the knowledge of the chemical nature and total number of surface groups as well as the number of groups accessible for coupling reactions. Particularly attractive for the latter are sensitive and fast photometric or fluorometric assays, which can be read out with simple, inexpensive instrumentation. Here, we present a novel family of cleavable photometric and multimodal reporters for the quantification of conjugatable amino and carboxyl surface groups on nano- and microparticles. These probes allow for the determination of particle-bound labels, unbound reporters in the supernatant, and reporters cleaved off from the particle surface as well as the remaining thiol groups on the particles by photometry and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (32S ICP-OES).3 Comparison of the performance of these cleavable reporters with conventional labels, utilizing changes in intensity and/or colour of absorption and/or emission, underlines the analytical potential of this versatile concept which elegantly circumvents signal distortions by light scattering and encoding dyes, and enables straightforward validation by method comparison.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at trace and ultratrace levels and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms. Furthermore, the nanocrystals allow multimodal imaging due fluorescence of Eu3+ as well as contrast enhancing properties of Gd3+ in magnetic resonance imaging.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at the trace and ultratrace level and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, imaging mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals and mostly accumulate near the nucleus. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at trace and ultratrace levels and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms. Furthermore, the nanocrystals allow multimodal imaging due fluorescence of Eu3+ as well as contrast enhancing properties of Gd3+ in magnetic resonance imaging.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.
Luminescent nanocrystals like core/shell semiconductor quantum dots and lanthanide doped nanophosphors as well as gold nanoclusters with emission in the visible (vis) and particularly in the near infrared (NIR) and short wavelength infrared (SWIR) region have been increasingly used as reporters in the life sciences and for bioimaging studies in the last years. This has led to sophisticated core-shell particle architectures of different chemical composition utilizing semiconductor quantum dots and lanthanide-based nanocrystals and initiated the design of gold nanoclusters with different ligands. In addition, this led to an increasing number of quantitative spectroscopic studies focusing on the key performance parameter photoluminescence quantum yield to identify optimum particle structures. In the following, an overview of different classes of nanocrystalline emitters and their photophysics is provided and examples for the absolute characterization of the photoluminescence properties of these different vis/NIR/SWIR emitters are shown including excitation power density-dependent studies on the ensemble and single particle level. Also, the impact of such measurements on a profound mechanistic understanding of the underlying nonradiative deactivation pathways is highlighted as required for reporter design.
Nanomaterials are used in many different applications in the material and life sciences. Examples are optical reporters, barcodes, and nanosensors, magnetic and optical contrast agents, and catalysts. Due to their small size and large surface area, there are also concerns about their interaction with and uptake by biological systems. This has initiated an ever increasing number of cyctoxicity studies of nanomaterials of different chemical composition and surface chemistry, but until now, the toxicological results presented by different research groups often do not address or differ regarding a potential genotoxicity of these nanomaterials. This underlines the need for a standardized test procedure to detect genotoxicity.1,2
Aiming at the development of fast, easy to use, and automatable microscopic methods for the determination of the genotoxicity of different types of nanoparticles, we assess the potential of the fluorometric γH2AX assay for this purpose. This assay, which can be run on an automated microscopic detection system, relies on the determination of DNA double strand breaks as a sign for genotoxicity.3 Here, we present first results obtained with broadly used nanomaterials like CdSe/CdS and InP/ZnS quantum dots as well as iron oxide, gold, and polymer particles of different surface chemistry with previously tested colloidal stability. These studies will be also used to establish nanomaterials as positive and negative genotoxicity controls or standards for assay performance validation for users of this fluorometric genotoxicity assay. In the future, after proper validation, this microscopic platform technology will be expanded to other typical toxicity assays.
References. (1) Landsiedel, R.; Kapp, M. D.; Schulz, M.; Wiench, K.; Oesch, F., Reviews in Mutation Research 2009, 681, 241-258. (2) Henriksen-Lacey, M.; Carregal-Romero, S.; Liz-Marzán, L. M., Bioconjugate Chem. 2016, 28, 212-221. (3) Willitzki, A.; Lorenz, S.; Hiemann, R.; Guttek, K.; Goihl, A.; Hartig, R.; Conrad, K.; Feist, E.; Sack, U.; Schierack, P., Cytometry Part A 2013, 83, 1017-1026.