Pitfalls and opportunities in quantitative fluorescence-based nanomedicine studies-A commentary

JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE

卷:335

Review

Simonsen, Jens B.¹  Kromann, Emil B.² 

[1] Tech Univ Denmark, Dept Hlth Technol, Sect Biotherapeut Engn & Drug Targeting, Orsteds Plads 345C, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

[2] Tech Univ Denmark, Dept Hlth Technol, Sect Biomimet, Orsteds Plads 345C, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

关键词: Nanomedicines;    Nanoparticles;    Quantitative;    Fluorescence;    Flow cytometry;    Fluorescence microscopy;    Biodistribution;    Uptake;    Counting nanoparticles;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.041

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Fluorescence-based techniques are prevalent in studies of nanomedicine-targeting to cells and tissues. However, fluorescence-based studies are rarely quantitative, thus prohibiting direct comparisons of nanomedicine-performance across studies. With this Commentary, we aim to provoke critical thinking about experimental design by treating some often-overlooked pitfalls in 'quantitative' fluorescence-based experimentation. Focusing on fluorescence-labeled nanoparticles, we cover mechanisms like solvent-interactions and fluorophore-dissociation, which disqualify the assumption that 'a higher fluorescence readout' translates directly to 'a better targeting efficacy'. With departure in recent literature, we propose guidelines for circumventing these pitfalls in studies of tissue-accumulation and cell-uptake, thus covering fluorescence-based techniques like bulk solution fluorescence measurements, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and infrared fluorescence imaging. With this, we hope to lay a foundation for more 'quantitative thinking' during experimental design, enabling (for example) the estimation and reporting of actual numbers of fluorescent nanoparticles accumulated in cells and organs.

【 授权许可】

Free