Surface modification of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) containing an aggregation-enhanced fluorescent dye was performed to specifically target folate receptors in HeLa cells for in vitro and in vivo tumor bioimaging.  Surface modification was characterized by zeta potential measurements and NMR spectroscopy, while nanoparticle size was determined by light scattering and TEM measurements. In vitro studies using HeLa cancer cells, which are enriched in folate receptors (FRs), indicated specific cellular uptake of the functionalized nanoparticles while the functionalized SiNPs were found to exert low cytotoxicty. The SiNP exhibited folate receptor (FR) targeting in vivo in nude mice bearing HeLa tumors. Two-photon fluorescence bioimaging was then conducted to acquire detailed three-dimensional ex vivo images of HeLa tumors.

Surface modification of a silica nanoprobe for fluorescence bioimaging of HeLa cells

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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