Submicron Polymer Particles Containing Fluorescent Semiconductor Nanocrystals Cdse/Zns for Bioassays

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to design a panel of uniform particulate biochemical reagents and to test them in specific bioassays. These reagents are polymer particles of different sizes doped with semiconductor nanocrystals and conjugated with either full-size antibodies or recombinant mini-antibodies (4D5 scFv fragment) designed by genetic engineering approaches. Materials & methods: A panel of highly fluorescent polymer particles (150–800 nm) were formed by embedding CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals (quantum dots) into preformed polyacrolein and poly(acrolein-co-styrene) particles. Morphology, content and fluorescence characteristics of the prepared materials were studied by laser correlation spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, optical and fluorescent microscopy and fluorimetry. Results: The obtained fluorescent particles sensitized by anti-Yersinia pestis antibodies were used for rapid agglutination glass test suitable for screening analysis of Y. pestis antigen and for microtiter particle agglutination, which, owing to its speed and simplicity, is very beneficial for diagnostic detection of Y. pestis antigen. Recombinant 4D5 scFv antibodies designed and conjugated with polymer particles containing quantum dots provide multipoint highly specific binding with cancer marker HER2/neu on the surface of SKOV-3 cell.

Keywords::

• antibody
• cancer cell
• cell imaging
• HER2/neu
• polymer particle
• polymer particle agglutination
• quantum dot
• recombinant antibody
• synthesis
• Yersinia pestis antigen

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the European Commission and the Integrated Project NACBO (contract number NMP4-CT-2004-500804). This work was also supported, by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Projects 09-04-01201a, 10-04-00393-a), by Russian Academy of Sciences Programs (‘Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials‘, Russian Federal Agency for Science and Innovation), by Ministry of Education and Science of RF (Project 2010-1.2.1-101-001-010). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Commission and the Integrated Project NACBO (contract number NMP4-CT-2004-500804). This work was also supported, by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Projects 09-04-01201a, 10-04-00393-a), by Russian Academy of Sciences Programs (‘Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials‘, Russian Federal Agency for Science and Innovation), by Ministry of Education and Science of RF (Project 2010-1.2.1-101-001-010). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.