Molecular imaging of epidermal growth factor receptor in live cells with refractive index sensitivity using dark-field microspectroscopy and immunotargeted nanoparticles

摘要: We present a study using plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) to image epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in live cells. Through detailed analysis of the NP scattering spectra, we determine intracellular refractive index (RI) within attoliter volumes inside living Molecular imaging is demonstrated anti-EGFR labeled gold nanospheres delivered cancer cells that overexpress EGFR, with targeted binding confirmed by appropriate control experiments. RI determination achieved measurement bound NPs' acquired precision dark-field microspectroscopy system and through careful characterization properties throughout immuno-labeling procedure. To demonstrate effect receptor-mediated uptake, data are compared similar spectral measurements antibody-free NPs, taken up nonspecific mechanisms. In these experiments, aggregation introduces interparticle effects suggesting EGFR-mediated internalization NPs may provide an advantage for maintaining isolation upon uptake. The results this show potential utility cell imaging. By demonstrating sensitivity over nanometer length scales, also presents new avenue assessing structure dynamics