Cell-Permeable and Biocompatible Polymeric Nanoparticles for Apoptosis Imaging

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 128; no. 11; pp. 3490 - 3491
• Main Authors: Kim, Kwangmeyung, Lee, Misu, Park, Hyungkyu, Kim, Jong-Ho, Kim, Sungwon, Chung, Hesson, Choi, Kuiwon, Kim, In-San, Seong, Baik L, Kwon, Ick Chan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 22.03.2006
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - physiology; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins - pharmacology; Biocompatible Materials - chemical synthesis; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacokinetics; Carbocyanines - chemistry; Caspase 3; Caspase 7; Caspases - metabolism; Cell Membrane Permeability; Deoxycholic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Deoxycholic Acid - chemistry; HeLa Cells; Humans; Light; Membrane Glycoproteins - pharmacology; Nanostructures - chemistry; Oligopeptides - chemistry; Oligopeptides - metabolism; Polyethyleneimine - chemistry; Polyethyleneimine - pharmacokinetics; Scattering, Radiation; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Substrate Specificity; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja057712f

Here, we report for the first time cell-permeable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles consisting of a polymer conjugated to a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence (Cy5.5)-linked effector caspase-specific peptide. The close spatial proximity of the NIR fluorochromes in polymeric nanoparticles results in an autoquenched state, but polymer nanoparticles give rise to strong NIR fluorescence signal under apoptotic cells. Thus, the smart polymeric nanoparticle developed here is an attractive probe for real-time imaging of apoptosis in single cells.