Magnetic and Fluorescent Glycopolymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Intranuclear Optical Imaging

• Published in: Biomacromolecules 2011-10, Vol.12 (10), p.3805-3811
• Main Authors: Pfaff, André, Schallon, Anja, Ruhland, Thomas M, Majewski, Alexander P, Schmalz, Holger, Freitag, Ruth, Müller, Axel H. E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Cell Nucleus - ultrastructure; Chromatography, Gel; Composites; Cytoplasm - metabolism; Endocytosis - physiology; Exact sciences and technology; Ferric Compounds - chemistry; Fluorescent Dyes - analysis; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Galactose - chemistry; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetics - methods; Medical sciences; Methacrylates - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Miscellaneous. Technology; Molecular Imaging - methods; Nanoparticles - analysis; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Nanospheres - analysis; Nanospheres - chemistry; Nanospheres - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Pyrenes - analysis; Pyrenes - chemistry; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Sulfhydryl Compounds - chemistry; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm201051p

The synthesis of galactose-displaying core–shell nanospheres exhibiting both fluorescent and magnetic properties by grafting a glycocopolymer consisting of 6-O-methacryloylgalactopyranose (MAGal) and 4-(pyrenyl)­butyl methacrylate (PyMA) onto magnetic silica particles via thiol–ene chemistry is reported. Magnetization measurements indicated that neither the encapsulation of the iron oxide particles into silica nor the grafting of the glycocopolymer chains had a significant influence on the superparamagnetic properties. This not only simplifies the purification of the particles but may facilitate the use of the particles in applications such as hyperthermia or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, the hydrophilic glycopolymer shell provided solubility of the particles in aqueous medium and enabled the uptake of the particles into the cytoplasm and nucleus of lung cancer cells via carbohydrate–lectin recognition effects.