Selective Assembly of DNA-Conjugated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from the Vascular Secretome

Abstract

Colloidal dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is often the first processing step to many of their unique applications. However, dispersed SWCNTs often exist in kinetically trapped states where aggregation can be of concern. Recent work revealed prominent DNA–SWCNT aggregation following intravascular injection. In this study, we performed detailed analysis of DNA–SWCNT aggregate formation, structure, and composition in the context of endothelial cell condition media. Interestingly, we found that aggregates formed within condition media from cells that have undergone a stress response differ in size and organization from that of the control. We also found that temperature increases also promote DNA–SWCNT associations. A mathematical model was developed to describe the kinetics of SWCNT extraction from solution. Through orthogonal optical analysis and imaging modalities, we verified that proteins form the bulk of the aggregate structure and dictate aggregate assembly at multiple levels of organization. Finally, physiochemical analysis indicated preferential extraction of low-abundance hydrophobic and charged proteins. The formed aggregates also remain relatively stable in solution, making them potential macroscopic indicators of solution content.

Single‐Particle Tracking for Understanding Polydisperse Nanoparticle Dispersions

“…It is also important to highlight the caveat that DNA‐SWCNT has the potential to form transient interparticle associations . During SPT experiments, it was observed that these associations can form with time and can be avoided through preexperiment agitation.…”

“…[54] It is also important to highlight the caveat that DNA-SWCNT has the potential to form transient interparticle associations. [55] During SPT experiments, it was observed that these associations can form with time and can be avoided through preexperiment agitation. Due to this effect, as AUC studies require prolonged preparation and experiment, it is conceivable that the resulting hydrodynamic radius is skewed toward higher values.…”

Chemometric Approaches for Developing Infrared Nanosensors to Image Anthracyclines

“…This discrepancy is likely a result of varying ionic conditions and adsorption of proteins from the tissue, which are known to attenuate SWNT fluorescence intensity. 33,34 Our results demonstrate that SWNT fluorescence wavelength shifts provide a robust optical readout for chemotherapeutic drug imaging in the relevant biological milieu of muscle tissue. 5,35…”

Oligonucleotide Length Determines Intracellular Stability of DNA-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes

“…Surface proteins present on cell membranes with high charge densities have been shown to promote this red-shift upon first contact with DNA-SWCNTs before endocytosis [37]. Additionally, the exposure of DNA-SWCNTs to serum-containing cell culture media can produce aggregation and spectral modulation by protein-DNA electrostatic interactions [39]. We attribute the initial red-shift observed to a combination of these factors directly following a pulse of (GT)n-SWCNTs, in which the macrophages contained both membrane bound particles that had not yet been internalized as well as newly-formed endosomal vesicles that essentially forced DNA-SWCNTs to form small aggregate complexes with other phagocytosed proteins and cargo.…”