Applications of T-lymphoma labeled with fluorescent quantum dots to cell tracing markers in mouse body

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2004-01, Vol.314 (1), p.46-53
• Main Authors: Hoshino, Akiyoshi, Hanaki, Ken-ichi, Suzuki, Kazuo, Yamamoto, Kenji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BALB 3T3 Cells; Bioimaging; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Cell labeling marker; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Transplantation - methods; Cytotoxicity; Endosomes - metabolism; Endosomes - pathology; In vivo; Living cell; Lymphoma, T-Cell - metabolism; Lymphoma, T-Cell - pathology; Male; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence - instrumentation; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; Organ Specificity; Quantum dot; Quantum Dots; Semiconductor; Staining and Labeling - methods; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.11.185

Photoluminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are novel nanometer-size probes that have found bioimaging. Here we imaged a cell line of mouse lymphocytes. QDs were actively taken into the target cells by endocytotic pathways. The fluorescence of QDs held in the endosomes could be studied for more than a week and remained stable luminescence against cell activation induced by concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, phorbol myristate acetate, and calcium ionophore A23187. These results suggested that QD-labeling was stable and did not affect either cell activation or cell function. When QD-labeled cells were intravenously injected into mouse, they remained in the peripheral blood in a concentration of approximately 10% up to 5 days after injection using both fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. In addition, approximately 20% of QDs were detected in the kidneys, liver, lung, and spleen and could still be observed 7 days after injection. These results suggested that fluorescent probes of QDs might be useful as bioimaging tools for tracing target cells over the period of a week in vivo.