Targeting Intracellular miRNA in Different Cancer Cell Models Using Gold Nanoprobes and Combined Mass Cytometry and Single Particle ICP-MS.

DNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were developed to target intracellular miRNA-16-5p across various cancer cell models by base pair complementarity. The Au-nanoprobe uptake was addressed by multiparametric mass cytometry (CyTOF) monitoring iridium and gold, enabling discrimination among Au nanoprobes in intact cells and cellular debris. Our findings reveal significantly higher incorporation in lung cancer (A549) and melanoma (A375) cells compared to hepatic (HepG2) and ovarian (A2780) models with particle numbers ranging from 200 to 1 AuNPs per cell, respectively.

Quantitative determination of intracellular miRNA content using dual gold and iron nanoreporters and single particle ICP-ToF-MS.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded RNA sequences that play an important role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Therefore, the present work tries to establish an analytical platform for the quantitative determination of miRNA in cancer cell models without enzymatic amplification reactions. The developed assay is based on a sandwich double-hybridization reaction using a capture oligonucleotide conjugated to magnetic iron oxide microparticles and detecting oligonucleotide conjugated to a 40-nm gold nanoparticle, both particles coated with streptavidin.

Single particle and single cell analysis by ICP-MS with pneumatic nebulisation: Comparing sample introduction systems.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operated in the single particle (sp) and singe cell (sc) modes belongs to the methods of elemental analysis that has significantly grown during the last years. Its contribution to the characterisation of nanomaterials and cell populations has opened new avenues and possibilities in many different disciplines. In this context, pneumatic nebulisation plays a pivotal role since it is still the preferable sample introduction system in ICP-MS.

The DeoR-like pleiotropic regulator SCO1897 controls specialised metabolism, sporulation, spore germination, and phosphorus accumulation in Streptomyces coelicolor.

Streptomycetes are bacteria of significant biotechnological interest due to their production of bioactive specialised metabolites used in medicine and agriculture. In these bacteria, specialised metabolism and morphological differentiation are linked and typically repressed under high phosphate conditions. This study characterises a DeoR-like transcriptional regulator, SCO1897, in Streptomyces coelicolor, whose expression increases during sporulation.

Amplification-Free Strategy for miRNA Quantification in Human Serum Using Single Particle ICP-MS and Gold Nanoparticles as Labels.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are short single-stranded RNA sequences between 18 and 24 nucleotides, are known to play a crucial role in gene expression. Changes in their expression are not only involved in many diseases but also as a response to physiological changes, such as physical exercise. In this work, a new analytical strategy for the sensitive and specific analysis of miRNA sequences in human plasma is presented.

Bioaccessibility of trace elements and Fe and Al endogenic nanoparticles in farmed insects: Pursuing quality sustainable food.

This study investigated the in vitro bioaccessibility of aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, lead, selenium, and zinc in three important species of farmed insects: the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Results show that all three insect species constitute excellent sources of essential elements (Fe, Cu and Zn) for the human diet, contributing to the recommended dietary allowance, i.e.

Single cell ICP-MS to evaluate the interaction behaviour for Cd, Ce and U with Streptomyces coelicolor spores.

Streptomyces are important soil bacteria used for bioremediation of metal-contaminated soils, however, it is still unknown how metal-selective Streptomyces are and which mechanisms are involved during their capture. In this work, we exposed S. coelicolor spores to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.

Tracking soluble and nanoparticulated titanium released in vivo from metal dental implant debris using (single-particle)-ICP-MS.

Background: This work studies the presence of the Ti, Al and V metal ions and Ti nanoparticles released from the debris produced by the implantoplasty, a surgical procedure used in the clinic, in rat organs.

Methods: The sample preparation for total Ti determination was carefully optimized using microsampling inserts to minimize the dilution during the acid attack of the lyophilized tissues by a microwave-assisted acid digestion method. An enzymatic digestion method was optimized and applied to the different tissue samples in order to extract the titanium nanoparticles for the single-particle ICP-MS analysis.

The copper transporter CTR1 and cisplatin accumulation at the single-cell level by LA-ICP-TOFMS.

More than a decade ago, studies on cellular cisplatin accumulation active membrane transport established the role of the high affinity copper uptake protein 1 (CTR1) as a main uptake route besides passive diffusion. In this work, CTR1 expression, cisplatin accumulation and intracellular copper concentration was assessed for single cells revisiting the case of CTR1 in the context of acquired cisplatin resistance. The single-cell workflow designed for experiments enabled quantitative imaging at resolutions down to 1 µm by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOFMS).

Ion release and local effects of titanium metal particles from dental implants: An experimental study in rats.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of ions in blood and organs caused by titanium (Ti) metal particles in a mandibular defect in rats, together with a description of the local reaction of oral tissues to this Ti alloy debris.

Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups: an experimental group with a mandibular bone defect filled with metallic debris obtained by implantoplasty; a positive control group; and a negative control group. Thirty days after surgery, the rats were euthanized and perilesional tissue surrounding the mandibular defect was removed, together with the lungs, spleen, liver, and brain.

Combined single cell and single particle ICP-TQ-MS analysis to quantitatively evaluate the uptake and biotransformation of tellurium nanoparticles in bacteria.

Assessing the impact of nanoparticles in living systems implies a proper evaluation of their behaviour at single-cell level. Due to the small size of nanoparticles, their accumulation, transformation and location within single cells is challenging. In this work, the combination of single cell/single particle triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SC/SP-ICP-TQ-MS) analysis along with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements has been applied to go deeper into the uptake and biotransformation of tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs) in two bacterial model organisms, S.

Analytical strategies to study the formation and drug delivery capabilities of ferritin-encapsulated cisplatin in sensitive and resistant cell models.

One of the limitations in the use of cisplatin is its low penetration into cells. In addition, some cells develop the so called resistance, a multifactorial event that decreases significantly the intracellular cisplatin concentration. To circumvent these limitations, recent studies are focused on the use of nanocarriers that permit, among others, to achieve higher drug uptake.

Quantitative Analysis of Transferrin Receptor 1 (TfR1) in Individual Breast Cancer Cells by Means of Labeled Antibodies and Elemental (ICP-MS) Detection.

Cells are able to precisely control the amount of iron they acquire in the form of transferrin (TF)-bound iron by modulating the synthesis of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). In tumor cells, elevated TfR1 seems to be related to poorer outcome for patients. Thus, the direct measurement of this biomarker in breast cancer tissues and cells might serve as a prognosis biomarker.

Cytosolic copper is a major modulator of germination, development and secondary metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor.

Streptomycetes are important biotechnological bacteria with complex differentiation. Copper is a well-known positive regulator of differentiation and antibiotic production. However, the specific mechanisms buffering cytosolic copper and the biochemical pathways modulated by copper remain poorly understood.

Cisplatin resistance in cell models: evaluation of metallomic and biological predictive biomarkers to address early therapy failure.

Cisplatin, one of the most extensively used metallodrugs in cancer treatment, presents the important drawback of patient resistance. This resistance is the consequence of different processes including those preventing the formation of DNA adducts and/or their quick removal. Thus, a tool for the accurate detection and quantitation of cisplatin-induced adducts might be valuable for predicting patient resistance.