Science and Research

Cancer cell-specific protein delivery by optoporation with laser-irradiated gold nanorods

The delivery of macromolecules into living cells is challenging since in most cases molecules are endocytosed and remain in the endo-lysosomal pathway where they are degraded before reaching their target. Here, a method is presented to selectively improve cell membrane permeability by nanosecond laser irradiation of gold nanorods (GNRs) with visible or near-infrared irradiation in order to deliver proteins across the plasma membrane, avoiding the endo lysosomal pathway. GNRs were labeled with the anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) antibody Erbitux to target human ovarian carcinoma cells OVCAR-3. Irradiation with nanosecond laser pulses at wavelengths of 532 nm or 730 nm is used for transient permeabilization of the cell membranes. As a result of the irradiation, the uptake of an anti-Ki-67 antibody was observed in about 50 % of the cells. The results of fluorescence lifetime imaging show that the GNR detached from the membrane after irradiation.

  • Yao, C.
  • Rudnitzki, F.
  • He, Y.
  • Zhang, Z.
  • Huttmann, G.
  • Rahmanzadeh, R.

Keywords

  • gold nanorods
  • nanosecond pulsed laser
  • near infrared radiation
  • optical window
  • protein delivery
Publication details
DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000017
Journal: J Biophotonics
Pages: e202000017 
Number: 7
Work Type: Original
Location: ARCN
Disease Area: LC
Partner / Member: UzL
Access-Number: 32306554
See publication on PubMed

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