Fluorescent dye encapsulated ZnO particles with cell-specific toxicity for potential use in biomedical applications

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2009 Jan;20(1):11-22. doi: 10.1007/s10856-008-3541-z. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Abstract

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-encapsulated SiO(2) core-shell particles with a nanoscale ZnO finishing layer have been synthesized for the first time as multifunctional "smart" nanostructures. Detailed characterization studies confirmed the formation of an outer ZnO layer on the SiO(2)-FITC core. These approximately 200 nm sized particles showed promise toward cell imaging and cellular uptake studies using the bacterium Escherichia coli and Jurkat cancer cells, respectively. The FITC encapsulated ZnO particles demonstrated excellent selectivity in preferentially killing Jurkat cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal primary immune cells (18% and 75% viability remaining, respectively, after exposure to 60 microg/ml) and inhibited the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at concentrations > or =250-500 microg/ml (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively). These results indicate that the novel FITC encapsulated multifunctional particles with nanoscale ZnO surface layer can be used as smart nanostructures for particle tracking, cell imaging, antibacterial treatments and cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanostructures* / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology
  • Particle Size
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • Zinc Oxide*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Zinc Oxide