Functionalized bismuth ferrite harmonic nanoparticles for cancer cells labeling and imaging

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 17; no. 10; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Passemard, Solène, Staedler, Davide, Sonego, Giona, Magouroux, Thibaud, Schneiter, Guillaume Stéphane, Juillerat-Jeanneret, Lucienne, Bonacina, Luigi, Gerber-Lemaire, Sandrine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bismuth; Cancer; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Conjugation; Ferrite; Harmonics; Imaging; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Lung cancer; Marking; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Research Paper; Cancer cells targeting; Visualization; Harmonic nanoparticles; Functionalized nanoparticles; Nanomedicine; Prolyl-endopeptidase inhibitors
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-015-3218-8

Bismuth ferrite (BFO) harmonic nanoparticles (NPs) display high nonlinear optical efficiency and excellent biocompatibility profile which make them attractive for the development of diagnostic applications as contrast agents. In this study, we present a general method for the functionalization of this material with chemical ligands targeting cancer molecular biomarkers. In particular, a conjugation protocol based on click reaction between alkynyl-containing targeting ligands and poly(ethylene glycol)-coated BFO NPs (67.7 nm) displaying surface reactive azido groups was developed. Copper-free click reaction allowed fast and efficient conjugation of a covalent inhibitor of prolyl-specific endopeptidases to coated BFO NPs. The ability of these functionalized nanomaterials (134.2 nm) to act as imaging probes for cancer cells was demonstrated by the selective labeling of human lung cancer cells.