Luminescent metal nanoparticles for antigen targeting

Akponasa, Sarah Oghenefego (2023). Luminescent metal nanoparticles for antigen targeting. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Gold nanoparticles are important as a delivery vehicle for different moieties. Here in this thesis, different gold nanoparticles have been examined as a vehicle for delivery for luminescent iridium(III) complexes in cells. The characteristics and potential uses of three iridium(III) complexes IrpqSS, IrpqSH and Irpqbpy with 2-phenylquinoline cyclometalated ligands will be discussed, to show that these probes are suitable luminescent complexes for use as imaging agents on their own and when conjugated onto gold nanoparticle surfaces. Gold nanoparticle sizes of 15 nm coated with the longer organic chain complex IrpqSS and shorter organic chain complex IrpqSH were shown to be monodisperse and luminescent with s-length luminescence lifetimes. The different iridium(III) complex chain lengths were chosen to investigate the effect that the chain length has on the luminescence. The nanoparticles were studied in pancreatic cancer cell lines MiaPaca-2 and CFPAC-1 in combination with a variety of surfactants, showing the imaging capabilities of the nanoparticles as well as the surfactant-dependent localisation of the nanoparticles in different sub-cellular organelles. Four different surfactants were chosen with the aim of investigating the effect of PEG-based surfactants and fluorinated surfactants on nanoparticle cell luminescence and uptake, showing potential for engineering nanoparticles to target specific sub-cellular organelles. Directional conjugation of anti-mesothelin antibodies to nanoparticles of size 19 nm displayed targeting of the mesothelin surface protein with slow internalisation. This showed that anti-mesothelin antibody-AuNP nanoconjugates present a potential for use as diagnostic agents due to cell membrane binding of nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer cell lines overexpressing mesothelin.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):