Glutathione-capped gold nanoclusters as near-infrared-emitting efficient contrast agents for confocal fluorescence imaging of tissue-mimicking phantoms

Hada, Alexandru-Milentie; Craciun, Ana-Maria; Focșan, Monica; Vulpoi, Adriana; Borcan, Elena-Larisa; Aştilean, Simion

doi:10.1007/s00604-022-05440-0

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To begin with, Hada et al described an innovative microwave-assisted synthetic route for the production of dual-emitting GSH-capped AuNCs [ 65 ]. With the new chemical methodology, the formation of the nanoparticles was induced by microwaves, without using any additional hazardous reductant agent, such as NaBH 4 .…”

Section: Design and Application Of Auncs For Bioimagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Luminescent Gold Nanoclusters for Bioimaging: Increasing the Ligand Complexity

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fluorescence, and more in general, photoluminescence (PL), presents important advantages for imaging with respect to other diagnostic techniques. In particular, detection methodologies exploiting fluorescence imaging are fast and versatile; make use of low-cost and simple instrumentations; and are taking advantage of newly developed powerful, low-cost, light-based electronic devices, such as light sources and cameras, used in huge market applications, such as civil illumination, computers, and cellular phones. Besides the aforementioned simplicity, fluorescence imaging offers a spatial and temporal resolution that can hardly be achieved with alternative methods. However, the two main limitations of fluorescence imaging for bio-application are still (i) the biological tissue transparency and autofluorescence and (ii) the biocompatibility of the contrast agents. Luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), if properly designed, combine high biocompatibility with PL in the near-infrared region (NIR), where the biological tissues exhibit higher transparency and negligible autofluorescence. However, the stabilization of these AuNCs requires the use of specific ligands that also affect their PL properties. The nature of the ligand plays a fundamental role in the development and sequential application of PL AuNCs as probes for bioimaging. Considering the importance of this, in this review, the most relevant and recent papers on AuNCs-based bioimaging are presented and discussed highlighting the different functionalities achieved by increasing the complexity of the ligand structure.

show abstract

Section: Design and Application Of Auncs For Bioimagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Luminescent Gold Nanoclusters for Bioimaging: Increasing the Ligand Complexity

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These methods can be used to change the emission wavelength of AuNCs from ultraviolet to visible to nearinfrared and to boost their fluorescence quantum yields [37,[47][48][49]. Due to the near-infrared emission advantages, such as stronger tissue penetration, lower tissue absorption, high signal-to-noise ratio, and elimination of tissue self-fluorescence, these nanoclusters can meet the demand for real-time, in situ detection of organisms [50][51][52]. In 2010, Wang's team achieved success in fluorescence imaging (FL) of tumors in mice using ultrasmall (~2.7 nm) near-infrared (NIR) AuNCs they had constructed [53].…”

Section: Fluorescence Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Recent Development of Multifunctional Gold Nanoclusters in Tumor Theranostic and Combination Therapy

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The rising incidence and severity of malignant tumors threaten human life and health, and the current lagged diagnosis and single treatment in clinical practice are inadequate for tumor management. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are nanomaterials with small dimensions (≤3 nm) and few atoms exhibiting unique optoelectronic and physicochemical characteristics, such as fluorescence, photothermal effects, radiosensitization, and biocompatibility. Here, the three primary functions that AuNCs play in practical applications, imaging agents, drug transporters, and therapeutic nanosystems, are characterized. Additionally, the promise and remaining limitations of AuNCs for tumor theranostic and combination therapy are discussed. Finally, it is anticipated that the information presented herein will serve as a supply for researchers in this area, leading to new discoveries and ultimately a more widespread use of AuNCs in pharmaceuticals.

show abstract