Published in:
01-10-2010 | Rapid Communication
AuNP-DG: Deoxyglucose-Labeled Gold Nanoparticles as X-ray Computed Tomography Contrast Agents for Cancer Imaging
Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology | Issue 5/2010
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Purpose
To study the feasibility of using 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG)-labeled gold nanoparticle (AuNP-DG) as a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent with tumor targeting capability through in vitro experiments.
Procedures
Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were fabricated and were conjugated with 2-deoxy-d-glucose. The human alveolar epithelial cancer cell line, A-549, was chosen for the in vitro cellular uptake assay. Two groups of cell samples were incubated with the AuNP-DG and the unlabeled AuNP, respectively. Following the incubation, the cells were washed with sterile PBS to remove the excess gold nanoparticles and spun to cell pellets using a centrifuge. The cell pellets were imaged using a microCT scanner immediately after the centrifugation. The reconstructed CT images were analyzed using a commercial software package.
Results
Significant contrast enhancement in the cell samples incubated with the AuNP-DG with respect to the cell samples incubated with the unlabeled AuNP was observed in multiple CT slices.
Conclusions
Results from this study demonstrate enhanced uptake of 2-DG-labeled gold nanoparticle by cancer cells in vitro and warrant further experiments to study the exact molecular mechanism by which the AuNP-DG is internalized and retained in the tumor cells.