Login / Signup

Quantitative Label-Free Chemical Imaging of PLGA Nanoparticles in Cells and Tissues with Single-Particle Sensitivity.

Xin GaoXiaoqi LangElsy El KhouryMian WeiNaixin QianWei Min
Published in: Nano letters (2024)
Nanomedicine has brought significant advancements to healthcare by utilizing nanotechnology in medicine. Despite much promise, the further development of nanocarriers for clinical use has been hindered by a lack of understanding and visualization of nano-bio interactions. Conventional imaging methods have limitations in resolution, sensitivity, and specificity. This study introduces a label-free optical approach using stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy to image poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocarriers, the most widely used polymeric nanocarrier for delivery therapeutic agents, with single-particle sensitivity and quantification capabilities. A unique Raman peak was identified for PLGA ester, enabling generalized bio-orthogonal bond imaging. We demonstrated quantitative SRS imaging of PLGA nanocarriers across different biological systems from cells to animal tissues. This label-free imaging method provides a powerful tool for studying this prevalent nanocarrier and quantitatively visualizing their distribution, interaction, and clearance in vivo.
Keyphrases
  • label free
  • drug delivery
  • high resolution
  • drug release
  • cancer therapy
  • induced apoptosis
  • oxidative stress
  • cell cycle arrest
  • optical coherence tomography
  • high throughput
  • high speed
  • cell proliferation