The expression and spatial organization of cell surface receptors, such as nanoclustering, encode information about cancer development and provide useful diagnostic cues. Using multivalent gold nanoparticle (Au NP) immunolabeling strategy for the labeling of epidermal growth factor receptors ErbB1 and ErbB2, we demonstrate through combination of scattering spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and electromagnetic simulations that the collective spectral response of NPs targeted at ErbB1 and ErbB2 facilitates the simultaneous quantification of their expression level and spatial organization in different cancer cell lines (SKBR3, MCF7, A431). We validate NPs targeted at ErbB1 on A431 are more strongly clustered than that bound to ErbB2 on SKBR3 or MCF7 at overall comparable NP surface densities. Moreover, we find the NP density on filopodia that extend beyond the leading edge of A431 cells is higher than on the dorsal membrane, indicating the filopodia function as �remote� sensing antenna in the outer environment of cell body.

Quantification of cell surface receptor expression and spatial organization through plasmon coupling

244th National Meeting (2012)

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