In vivo quantification of quantum dot systemic transport in C57BL/6 hairless mice following skin application post-ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious work has demonstrated size, surface charge and skin barrier dependent penetration of nanoparticles into the viable layers of mouse skin. The goal of this work was to characterize the tissue distribution and mechanism of transport of nanoparticles beyond skin, with and without Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) induced skin barrier disruption. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), flow cytometry and confocal microscopy were used to examine the effect of UVR dose (180 and 360 mJ/cm2 UVB) on the skin penetration and systemic distribution of quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles topically applied at different time-points post UVR using a hairless C57BL/6 mouse model.ResultsResults indicate that QDs can penetrate mouse skin, regardless of UVR exposure, as evidenced by the increased cadmium in the local lymph nodes of all QD treated mice. The average % recovery for all treatment groups was 69.68% with ~66.84% of the applied dose recovered from the skin (both epicutaneous and intracutaneous). An average of 0.024% of the applied dose was recovered from the lymph nodes across various treatment groups. When QDs are applied 4 days post UV irradiation, at the peak of the skin barrier defect and LC migration to the local lymph node, there is an increased cellular presence of QD in the lymph node; however, AAS analysis of local lymph nodes display no difference in cadmium levels due to UVR treatment.ConclusionsOur data suggests that Langerhans cells (LCs) can engulf QDs in skin, but transport to the lymph node may occur by both cellular (dendritic and macrophage) and non-cellular mechanisms. It is interesting that these specific nanoparticles were retained in skin similarly regardless of UVR barrier disruption, but the observed skin immune cell interaction with nanoparticles suggest a potential for immunomodulation, which we are currently examining in a murine model of skin allergy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-017-0191-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Metal nanomaterials: Immune effects and implications of physicochemical properties on sensitization, elicitation, and exacerbation of allergic disease

“…This observation is relevant to skin sensitization since the concentration of LC present in the skin has been correlated with increased susceptibility to ACD development. Other in vivo studies confirmed metal nanomaterials including QD are taken up by LC and subsequently transported to lymph nodes (Jatana et al 2017b). In vitro , associations with LC have been shown to be influ-enced by SiNP size and surface functionalization (Vogt et al 2006; Rancan et al 2012).…”

Graphene Quantum Dots as Intracellular Imaging-Based Temperature Sensors

“…Chemical modifications of nanoparticle surface allow for more biocompatible as well as less immunogenic solutions [ 25 ]. Quantum dots (QDs), for instance, one of the most commonly utilized classes of nanoparticles, have a diversity of chemical and optical properties due to the possibility of altering their surface chemistry and size [ 26 ]. In previous studies, CdTe/ZnS QDs [ 15 ], CdSe/ZnS QDs [ 27 ], and CdTe QDs [ 28 ] were used as ILNs detecting minor temperature changes.…”

Graphene Quantum Dots As Intracellular Imaging-Based Temperature Sensors

“…Chemical modifications of nanoparticle surface allow for more biocompatible as well as less immunogenic solutions [25]. Quantum dots (QDs), for instance, one of the most commonly utilized classes of nanoparticles, have a diversity of chemical and optical properties due to the possibility of altering their surface chemistry and size [26]. In previous studies, CdTe/ZnS QDs [15], CdSe/ZnS QDs [27], and CdTe QDs [28] were used as ILNs detecting minor temperature changes.…”