Lung cancer is a major health problem in the United States. Despite the development of molecular-targeting agents such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors and advances made in conventional chemoradiotherapy and surgical therapy, the overall five-year survival rate of lung cancer patients remains poor and is less than 15%. Recently, in an attempt to improve diagnosis and therapy, novel technologies such as nanotechnology have emerged for application in medicine. One major goal of nanomedicine is to develop multifunctional nanoparticles that can be applied for diagnosis and imaging of cancer as well as therapy for cancer. As a result, a number of nanoparticle agents of various compositions, sizes, and shapes are being developed. A majority of the nanoparticles, however, are in preclinical studies, and only a few of them have advanced to early clinical testing. Efforts in several laboratories, including our own laboratory, are in developing tumor-targeted multifunctional metal-iron-oxide-based nanoparticles for imaging and therapy of lung cancer. In this article, we will discuss various nanomaterial-based nanoparticles, including our own tumor-targeted multifunctional nanoparticles that are being developed for lung cancer. Readers are encouraged to review additional literature to obtain more information on nanomaterials and their application in nanomedicine and cancer therapy.

We determined the effect of aggregation and coating thickness of gold on the luminescence of nanoparticles engulfed by macrophages and in gelatin phantoms. Thin gold-coated iron oxide nanoclusters (nanoroses) have been developed to target macrophages to provide contrast enhancement for near-infrared optical imaging applications. We compare the brightness of nanoroses luminescent emissions in response to 635 nm laser excitation to other nanoparticles including nanoshells, nanorods, and Cy5 conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles. Luminescent properties of all these nanoparticles were investigated in monomeric and aggregated form in gelatin phantoms and primary macrophage cell cultures using confocal microscopy. Aggregation of the gold nanoparticles increased luminescence emission and correlated with increased surface mass of gold per nanoparticle (nanoshells 37 ± 14.30 × 10(-3) brightness with 1.23 × 10(-4) wt of gold (g)/nanoparticle versus original nanorose 1.45 ± 0.37 × 10(-3) with 2.10 × 10(-16) wt of gold/nanoparticle, p<0.05). Nanoshells showed greater luminescent intensity than original nanoroses or Cy5 conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles when compared as nanoparticles per macrophage (38 ± 10 versus 11 ± 2.8 versus 17 ± 6.5, p<0.05, respectively, ANOVA), but showed relatively poor macrophage uptake (1025 ± 128 versus 7549 ± 236 versus 96,000 nanoparticles/cell, p<0.05, student t-test nanoshells versus nanoroses). Enhancement of gold fluorescent emissions by nanoparticles can be achieved by reducing the thickness of the gold coating, by clustering the gold on the surface of the nanoparticles (nanoshells), and by clustering the gold nanoparticles themselves.

The ability of smaller than 100 nm antibody (Ab) nanoparticle conjugates to target and modulate the biology of specific cell types may enable major advancements in cellular imaging and therapy in cancer. A key challenge is to load a high degree of targeting, imaging, and therapeutic functionality into small, yet stable particles. A versatile method called thin autocatalytic growth on substrate (TAGs) has been developed in our previous study to form ultrathin and asymmetric gold coatings on iron oxide nanocluster cores producing exceptional near-infrared (NIR) absorbance. AlexaFluor 488 labeled Abs were used to correlate the number of Abs conjugated to iron oxide/gold nanoclusters (nanoroses) with the hydrodynamic size. A transition from submonolayer to multilayer aggregates of Abs on the nanorose surface was observed for 54 Abs and an overall particle diameter of ∼60-65 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter indicated coverage of a monolayer of 54 Abs, in agreement with the prediction of a geometric model, by assuming a circular footprint of 16.9 nm diameter per Ab molecule. The targeting efficacy of nanoclusters conjugated with monoclonal Abs specific for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was evaluated in A431 cancer cells using dark field microscopy and atomic absorbance spectrometry (AAS) analysis. Intense NIR scattering was achieved from both high uptake of nanoclusters in cells and high intrinsic NIR absorbance of individual nanoclusters. Dual mode imaging with dark field reflectance microscopy and fluorescence microscopy indicates the Abs remained attached to the Au surfaces upon the uptake by the cancer cells. The ability to load intense multifunctionality, specifically strong NIR absorbance, conjugation of an Ab monolayer in addition to a strong r2 MRI contrast that was previously demonstrated in a total particle size of only 63 nm, is an important step forward in development of theranostic agents for combined molecular specific imaging and therapy.

Metal nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the near-infrared region (NIR) are of great interest for imaging and therapy. Presently, gold nanoparticles with NIR absorbance are typically larger than 50 nm, above the threshold size of similar to 5 nm required for efficient renal clearance. As these nanoparticles are not biodegradable, concerns about long-term toxicity have restricted their translation into the clinic. Here, we address this problem by developing a flexible platform for the kinetically controlled assembly of sub-5 nm ligand-coated gold particles to produce metal/polymer biodegradable nanoclusters smaller than 100 nm with strong NIR absorbance for multimodal application. A key novel feature of the proposed synthesis is the use of weakly adsorbing biodegradable polymers that allows tight control of nanocluster size and, in addition, results in nanoclusters with unprecedented metal loadings and thus optical functionality. Over time, the biodegradable polymer stabilizer degrades under physiological conditions that leads to disassembly of the nanoclusters into sub-5 nm primary gold particles which are favorable for efficient body clearance. This synthesis of polymer/inorganic nanoclusters combines the imaging contrast and therapeutic capabilities afforded by the NIR-active nanoparticle assembly with the biodegradability of a polymer stabilizer.

Nanoparticles such as gold and silver with plasmonic resonances in the near-infrared (NIR) optical region, where soft tissue is the most transparent, are of great interest in biomedical applications. A major roadblock in translation of inorganic nanoparticles to clinical practice for systemic targeting of disease is their non-biodegradable nature. In addition, gold nanoparticles that absorb in the NIR are typically greater than 50 nm, which is above the threshold size of 5.5 nm required for effective excretion from the body. Here we describe a new class of biodegradable gold nanoparticles with plasmon resonances in the NIR region. The synthesis is based on controlled assembly of very small (less than 5 nm) primary gold particles into nanoclusters with sub-100 nm overall diameter and an intense NIR absorbance. The assembly is mediated by biodegradable polymers, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polylactic acid (PLA) copolymer, and small capping ligands on the constituent nanoparticles. Nanoclusters deaggregate into sub-5nm primary gold particles upon biodegradation of the polymer binder in live cells over one week, as shown by dark-field reflectance and hyperspectral imaging.

Atherosclerosis and specifically rupture of vulnerable plaques account for 23% of all deaths worldwide, far surpassing both infectious diseases and cancer. In atherosclerosis, macrophages can infiltrate plaques which are often associated with lipid deposits. Photothermal wave imaging is based on the periodic thermal modulation of a sample using intensity modulated light. Intensity modulated light enters the sample and is absorbed by targeted chromophores and generates a periodic thermal modulation. We report use of photothermal wave imaging to visualize nanoroses (taken up by macrophages via endocytosis) and lipids in atherosclerotic plaques. Two excitation wavelengths were selected to image nanoroses (800 nm) and lipids (1210 nm). Atherosclerotic plaque in a rabbit abdominal artery was irradiated (800 nm and 1210 nm separately) at a frequency of 4 Hz to generate photothermal waves. The radiometric temperature at the tissue surface was recorded by an infrared (IR) camera over a 10 second time period at the frame rate of 25.6 Hz. Extraction of images (256 × 256 pixels) at various frequencies was performed by Fourier transform at each pixel. Frequency amplitude images were obtained corresponding to 800 nm and 1210 nm laser irradiation. Computed images suggest that the distributions of both nanorose and lipid can be identified in amplitude images at a frequency of 4 Hz. Nanoroses taken up by macrophages are distributed at the edges of lipid deposits. Observation of high concentration of nanoroses in atherosclerotic plaque confirms that nanoroses are present at locations associated with lipid deposits.

Application of photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to detect macrophages in ex vivo rabbit arteries which have engulfed nanoclusters of gold coated iron oxide (nanorose) is reported. Nanorose engulfed by macrophages associated with atherosclerotic lesions in rabbit arteries absorb incident laser (800nm) energy and cause optical pathlength (OP) variation which is measured using photothermal OCT. OP variation in polydimethyl siloxane tissue phantoms containing varying concentrations of nanorose match values predicted from nanoparticle and material properties. Measurement of OP variation in rabbit arteries in response to laser excitation provides an estimate of nanorose concentration in atherosclerotic lesions of 2.5x109 particles/ml. OP variation in atherosclerotic lesions containing macrophages taking up nanorose has a different magnitude and profile from that observed in control thoracic aorta without macrophages and is consistent with macrophage presence as identified with RAM-11 histology staining. Our results suggest that tissue regions with macrophages taking up nanorose can be detected using photothermal OCT.

Ultrasound is a widely used modality with excellent spatial resolution, low cost, portability, reliability and safety. In clinical practice and in the biomedical field, molecular ultrasound-based imaging techniques are desired to visualize tissue pathologies, such as cancer. In this paper, we present an advanced imaging technique - combined photoacoustic and magneto-acoustic imaging - capable of visualizing the anatomical, functional and biomechanical properties of tissues or organs. The experiments to test the combined imaging technique were performed using dual, nanoparticle-based contrast agents that exhibit the desired optical and magnetic properties. The results of our study demonstrate the feasibility of the combined photoacoustic and magneto-acoustic imaging that takes the advantages of each imaging techniques and provides high sensitivity, reliable contrast and good penetrating depth. Therefore, the developed imaging technique can be used in wide range of biomedical and clinical application.

The ability of 20-50 nm nanoparticles to target and modulate the biology of specific types of cells will enable major advancements in cellular imaging and therapy in cancer and atherosclerosis. A key challenge is to load an extremely high degree of targeting, imaging, and therapeutic functionality into small, yet stable particles. Herein we report approximately 30 nm stable uniformly sized near-infrared (NIR) active, superparamagnetic nanoclusters formed by kinetically controlled self-assembly of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The controlled assembly of nanocomposite particles into clusters with small primary particle spacings produces collective responses of the electrons that shift the absorbance into the NIR region. The nanoclusters of approximately 70 iron oxide primary particles with thin gold coatings display intense NIR (700-850 nm) absorbance with a cross section of approximately 10(-14) m(2). Because of the thin gold shells with an average thickness of only 2 nm, the r(2) spin-spin magnetic relaxivity is 219 mM(-1) s(-1), an order of magnitude larger than observed for typical iron oxide particles with thicker gold shells. Despite only 12% by weight polymeric stabilizer, the particle size and NIR absorbance change very little in deionized water over 8 months. High uptake of the nanoclusters by macrophages is facilitated by the dextran coating, producing intense NIR contrast in dark field and hyperspectral microscopy, both in cell culture and an in vivo rabbit model of atherosclerosis. Small nanoclusters with optical, magnetic, and therapeutic functionality, designed by assembly of nanoparticle building blocks, offer broad opportunities for targeted cellular imaging, therapy, and combined imaging and therapy.

1 引言 乳酸在食品、医药等行业有很长的应用历史.近年来,由于聚乳酸(PLA)的生物可降解性导致乳酸的生产再一次受到重视.其中一种乳酸纯化工艺,对发酵法生产的粗乳酸通过酯化催化精馏相耦合的工艺进行提纯和精制,生产过程中监控的主要指标是乳酸和乳酸甲酯的含量.高效液相色谱分析有机酸不仅简便快速,而且选择性好、准确度高,已用于各种有机酸体系的分析.为了使有机酸尽可能以分子形式存在,一般使用酸性流动相来抑制有机酸的离解,磷酸氢盐是最典型的淋洗液.为了改善有机酸的分离或减少吸附,可在流动相中加入适量的有机溶剂.本文提出了一种分析测定乳酸及其甲酯的快速而精确的HPLC方法,使用磷酸二氢氨-磷酸缓冲溶液中添加甲醇作流动相.