Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are amphiphilic molecules extracted from the membrane of Gram negative bacteria. They are known to induce inflammation in cells. We have functionalized hydrophobic luminescent quantum dots (QDs) with LPS in order to construct self-assembled and luminescent particles dispersible in aqueous media and tagged with unmodified LPS molecules. The morphology of the QD/LPS assemblies was examined by cryo-TEM. Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation was used to determine the size and size distribution of the QD/LPS nanoparticles and to assess their stability in various media. The interactions of macrophages and microglia with QD/LPS were monitored by confocal microscopy. Through the use of pharmacological inhibitors, we determined that LPS/QDs bind to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) which is known to participate in the LPS internalization and to initiate the signaling cascade involved in inflammation.

Synthesis and characterization of lipopolysaccharide/quantum dot self-assembled nanoparticles: Application in the study of inflammation

244th National Meeting (2012)

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