Visualization of intercellular cargo transfer using upconverting nanoparticles

• Published in: Nanoscale Vol. 14; no. 38; pp. 148 - 1413
• Main Authors: Goh, Yeongchang, Kim, Jongwoo, Park, Hye Sun, Jung, Taeyoung, Hong, Kwan Soo, Nam, Sang Hwan, Suh, Yung Doug, Lee, Kang Taek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 06.10.2022
• Subjects: Cargo; Cellular communication; Differentiation (biology); Fluorescence; Nanoparticles; Proteins
• ISSN: 2040-3364; 2040-3372
• DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01999j

Cell-cell communication is important for cellular differentiation, organ function, and immune responses. In intercellular communication, the extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in delivering the cargo molecules such as genes, proteins, and enzymes, to regulate and control the ability of the recipient cells. In this study, the observation of intercellular cargo transfer via dual-colour imaging using upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) has been demonstrated. Using this technique, the intercellular transport via contact-dependent and contact-independent signaling in live HeLa cells was clearly visualized with real-time, long-term single-vesicle tracking. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the endocytosed UCNPs can be transmitted with the encapsulation of EVs labelled with fluorescent proteins. Cell-cell communication is important for cellular differentiation, organ function, and immune responses.