Christy L. Cooper

Detection of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 by a hybrid microfluidic SPR and molecular imaging cytometry device.

Current methods to screen for bacterial contamination involve using costly reagents such as antibodies or PCR reagents or time‐costly growth in cultures. There is need for portable, real‐time, multiplex pathogen detection technology that can predict the safety of food. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging is a sensitive, label‐free method that can detect the binding of an analyte to a surface by the changes in refractive index that occur upon binding. We have designed a hybrid microfluidic biochip to perform multiplexed detection of single‐celled pathogens using a combination of SPR and fluorescence imaging. The device consists of an array of gold spots, each functionalized with a capture biomolecule targeting a specific pathogen. This biosensor array is enclosed by a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic flow chamber that delivers a magnetically concentrated sample to be tested. The sample is imaged by SPR on the bottom of the biochip and epi‐fluorescence on the top. The prototype instrument was successfully able to image antibody‐captured E. coli O157:H7 bacteria by SPR and fluorescence imaging. The efficiency of capture of these bacteria by the magnetic particles was determined using spectrophotometric ferric oxide absorbance measurements. The binding of the E. coli to each spot was quantified by measuring the percent of the gold spot area upon which the bacteria was bound and analyzed using NIH ImageJ software. This hybrid imaging approach of pathogenic E. coli detection coupled with an estimate of relative infectivity is shown to be a working example of a testing device for potential foodborne pathogens.

In vivo NIRF and MR dual-modality imaging using glycol chitosan nanoparticles

One difficulty of diagnosing and treating cancer is that it is very challenging to detect cancers in the early stages before metastasis occurs. A variety of imaging modalities needs to be used from non-invasive, moderate resolution modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to very high-resolution (e.g. fluorescence) imaging that can help guide surgeons during a surgical operation. While MRI can have relatively high resolution and deep penetration to visualize soft tissues, low sensitivity of MRI frequently requires tumor imaging agents to enhance the MRI contrast at the tumor site. At the other end of the resolution spectrum, near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging has very high sensitivity but frequently cannot be utilized for initial human in vivo imaging due to its very limited penetration depth. To combine the advantages of each imaging modality we have constructed MRI and NIRF dual-modality nanoparticles using glycol chitosan, Cy5.5, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs). We have demonstrated these advantages for dual-modality, in vivo tumor imaging in mice. Our studies suggest the potential use of NIRF and MR dual modality imaging for human cancer diagnosis.

Synthesis of multifunctional magnetic nanoflakes for magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermia, and targeting.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IOs) are intrinsically theranostic agents that could be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and local hyperthermia or tissue thermal ablation. Yet, effective hyperthermia and high MR contrast have not been demonstrated within the same nanoparticle configuration. Here, magnetic nanoconstructs are obtained by confining multiple, ∼ 20 nm nanocubes (NCs) within a deoxy-chitosan core. The resulting nanoconstructs—magnetic nanoflakes (MNFs)—exhibit a hydrodynamic diameter of 156 ± 3.6 nm, with a polydispersity index of ∼0.2, and are stable in PBS up to 7 days. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field of 512 kHz and 10 kA m–1, MNFs provide a specific absorption rate (SAR) of ∼75 W gFe–1, which is 4–15 times larger than that measured for conventional IOs. Moreover, the same nanoconstructs provide a remarkably high transverse relaxivity of ∼500 (mM s)−1, at 1.41T. MNFs represent a first step toward the realization of nanoconstructs with superior relaxometric and ablation properties for more effective theranostics.

Multicomponent, peptide-targeted glycol chitosan nanoparticles containing ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanocubes for bladder cancer multimodal imaging

While current imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, play an important role in detecting tumors in the body, no single-modality imaging possesses all the functions needed for a complete diagnostic imaging, such as spatial resolution, signal sensitivity, and tissue penetration depth. For this reason, multimodal imaging strategies have become promising tools for advanced biomedical research and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. In designing multimodal nanoparticles, the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles should be engineered so that they successfully accumulate at the tumor site and minimize nonspecific uptake by other organs. Finely altering the nano-scale properties can dramatically change the biodistribution and tumor accumulation of nanoparticles in the body. In this study, we engineered multimodal nanoparticles for both MRI, by using ferrimagnetic nanocubes (NCs), and near infrared fluorescence imaging, by using cyanine 5.5 fluorescence molecules. We changed the physicochemical properties of glycol chitosan nanoparticles by conjugating bladder cancer-targeting peptides and loading many ferrimagnetic iron oxide NCs per glycol chitosan nanoparticle to improve MRI contrast. The 22 nm ferrimagnetic NCs were stabilized in physiological conditions by encapsulating them within modified chitosan nanoparticles. The multimodal nanoparticles were compared with in vivo MRI and near infrared fluorescent systems. We demonstrated significant and important changes in the biodistribution and tumor accumulation of nanoparticles with different physicochemical properties. Finally, we demonstrated that multimodal nanoparticles specifically visualize small tumors and show minimal accumulation in other organs. This work reveals the importance of finely modulating physicochemical properties in designing multimodal nanoparticles for bladder cancer imaging.

Peptide targeting of quantum dots to human breast cancer cells

Nanomedical approaches to diseases such as cancer provide great promise with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The impact of nanomedicine versus conventional therapies will be realized with regard to their specific cell targeting capabilities. Semiconductor nanoparticles have distinct advantages due to their chemical conjugation and detection characteristics. The attachment of a peptide sequence, LTVSPWY, was completed. These nanoparticles successfully targeted in vitro and in vivo systems. This technology can be utilized as a base mechanism for the construction of a multifunctional nanomedical system. Nanomedicine has great potential for impacting the treatment of specific diseases and healthcare delivery methods.

Design of programmable multilayered nanoparticles with in situ manufacture of therapeutic genes for nanomedicine

Nanomedicine focuses on a new approach to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Nanomedical systems distinguish between diseased and healthy cells on a single cell level and perform a programmed function when necessary. Current research in nanomedicine investigates the interaction of nanomedical systems with living systems in order to assess the biological effects both in the short and long term. The unique goal of the nanomedical system is to deliver a gene for in situ manufacturing of therapeutic agents for cellular repair. Treating cells on an individual level illustrates a paradigm shift created from nanotechnology.

Human organ-on-a-chip BioMEMS devices for testing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

MEMS human “organs-on-a-chip” can be used to create model human organ systems for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. They represent a promising new strategy for rapid testing of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches without the need for involving risks to human subjects. We are developing multicomponent, superparamagnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles as X-ray and MRI contrast agents for noninvasive multimodal imaging and for antibody- or peptide-targeted drug delivery to tumor and precancerous cells inside these artificial organ MEMS devices. Magnetic fields can be used to move the nanoparticles “upstream” to find their target cells in an organs-on-achip model of human ductal breast cancer. Theoretically, unbound nanoparticles can then be removed by reversing the magnetic field to give a greatly enhanced image of tumor cells within these artificial organ structures. Using branched PDMS microchannels and 3D tissue engineering of normal and malignant human breast cancer cells inside those MEMS channels, we can mimic the early stages of human ductal breast cancer with the goal to improve the sensitivity and resolution of mammography and MRI of very small tumors and test new strategies for treatments. Nanomedical systems can easily be imaged by multicolor confocal microscopy inside the artificial organs to test targeting and therapeutic responses including the differential viability of normal and tumor cells during treatments. Currently we are using 2-dimensional MEMS structures, but these studies can be extended to more complex 3D structures using new 3D printing technologies.

Synthesis and in vitro safety assessment of magnetic bacterial cellulose with porcine aortic smooth muscle cells

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been used as a scaffold for tissue regeneration (TR). Improving functional TR requires highly selective strategies for specific cell attraction. Embedding iron oxide nanoparticles into a BC matrix can drive magnetically labeled cells to specific tissues where they may begin to heal injured tissue. This article focuses on characterization and in vitro toxicity assessment of magnetic BC (MBC). We proposed to detect the production of radical oxygen species (ROS), esterase activity, and apoptosis to study cytotoxic interactions of MBC within its bioenvironment. Morphological characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy where evidence shows that the diameter of MBC fibers compared to BC fibers was 33% smaller, and the pore areas were 25% bigger. Cytotoxicity assays in porcine aortic smooth muscle cells exposed for 24 hours to BC, MBC, and poly(ethylene glycol)-coated MBC (MBC-PEG) reveals 96% viability and 9% ROS production for MBC-PEG. In contrast, 25% of cells exposed to MBC were apoptotic, suggesting that even when the cells were metabolically active, MBC can induce damage. These outcomes support the need for more integral assessment in the hopes of assessing the potential biosafety and uses of nanocomposites for TR.

Advanced flow cytometric analysis of nanoparticle targeting to rare leukemic stem cells in peripheral human blood in a defined model system

Leukemia stem cells are both stem-like and leukemic-like. This complicates their detection as rare circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of leukemia patients. Since leukemic stem cells are also resistant to standard chemotherapeutic regimens, new therapeutic strategies need to be designed to kill the leukemic stem cells without killing normal stem cells. In these initial targeting studies we utilized a bioinformatics approach to design an antibodyfluorescent nanoparticle conjugate for targeting to these leukemic stem cells and to minimize targeting to normal stemprogenitor cells. Multicolor flow cytometric analyses were performed on a BD FACS Aria III. Human leukemic stem cell-like cell RS4;11 (with putative immunophenotype CD133+/CD24+/-, CD34+/-, CD38+, CD10-/Flt3+) was spiked into normal hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells obtained from a “buffy coat” prep (with putative immunophenotype CD133- /CD34+/CD38-/CD10-/Flt-3-) to be used as a model human leukemia patient. To analyze the model system, digital data mixtures of the two cell types were first created and assigned classifiers in order to create truth sets. ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) and multidimensional cluster analyses were used to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the immunophenotyping panel and for automated cell population identification, respectively. Costs of misclassification (false targeting) were also accounted for by this analysis scheme. Ultimately, this analysis scheme will be applied to use of nanoparticle-antibody conjugates at therapeutic doses for targeted killing of leukemia stem cells preferentially to normal stem –progenitor cells.

High-speed flow cytometric analysis of nanoparticle targeting to rare leukemic stem cells in peripheral human blood: preliminary in-vitro studies

Leukemic cancer stem cells are both stem-like and leukemic-like. This complicates their detection as rare circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of leukemia patients. The leukemic stem cells are also highly resistant to standard chemotherapeutic regimens so new therapeutic strategies need to be designed to kill the leukemic stem cells without killing normal stem cells. In these initial studies we have designed an antibody-targeted and fluorescent (Cy5.5) nanoparticle for targeting these leukemic stem cells and then introducing new strategies for killing them. Multicolor flow cytometric analyses were performed on a BD FACS Aria III. Human leukemic stem cell-like cell line RS4;11 (with putative immunophenotype CD123+/CD24+/CD38-/CD10-/Flt-3-) was used as a model human leukemic stem cell systems and were spiked into normal human peripheral blood cells containing normal blood stem-progenitor cells (immunophenotype CD123-/CD34+/CD38-) and Cy5.5-labeled nanoparticles with targeting molecule anti-CD123 antibody. An irrelevant antibody (CD71) which should not bind to any live leukemic stem cell or normal stem cell (binds erythrocytes) was used as a way of distinguishing between true-positive live and false-positive damaged/dead cells, the latter occurring at much higher frequencies than the very rare (e.g. 0.001 to 0.0001 percent frequency true leukemic stem cells). These studies are designed to measure the targeting sensitivity and specificity of the fluorescent nanoparticles to the putative rare leukemic stem cells with the eventual design to use the nanoparticles to direct killing therapeutic doses to the leukemic stem cells but not to the normal stem-progenitor cells.