Shape matters: intravital microscopy reveals surprising geometrical dependence for nanoparticles in tumor models of extravasation

Nano Lett. 2012 Jul 11;12(7):3369-77. doi: 10.1021/nl204175t. Epub 2012 Jun 11.

Abstract

Delivery is one of the most critical obstacles confronting nanoparticle use in cancer diagnosis and therapy. For most oncological applications, nanoparticles must extravasate in order to reach tumor cells and perform their designated task. However, little understanding exists regarding the effect of nanoparticle shape on extravasation. Herein we use real-time intravital microscopic imaging to meticulously examine how two different nanoparticles behave across three different murine tumor models. The study quantitatively demonstrates that high-aspect ratio single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) display extravasational behavior surprisingly different from, and counterintuitive to, spherical nanoparticles although the nanoparticles have similar surface coatings, area, and charge. This work quantitatively indicates that nanoscale extravasational competence is highly dependent on nanoparticle geometry and is heterogeneous.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Ear Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Ear Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Particle Size
  • Quantum Dots
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon