Label-free serum albumin nanoparticles for bioimaging and Trojan horse-like drug delivery

Abstract

Fluorescence-based detection is a susceptible and accurate tool utilized in diagnostics due to its lower interference and better sensitivity. Accordingly, protein-based nanomaterials have revolutionized the field of nano-theranostics for their biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics. The typical applications are in diagnostics as biosensors and for controlled release drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenic nature, along with possibilities for surface modifications. Nevertheless, the primary reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide is inefficient targeting, and hence there is an increasing demand for alternative advanced therapeutic strategies. The albumin nanoparticles loaded with active medicinal ingredients bind to several cell surface receptors and preferentially accumulate inside cancer cells, positioning them as a promising candidate for therapeutic drug delivery. In this study, we've synthesized autofluorescent albumin nanoparticles and demonstrated their potential in vitro pH sensing and imaging competence. The concurrent drug delivery potential of albumin nanoparticles was explored by increased reactive oxygen species production, altered mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle analysis for apoptosis. Overall, the synthesized near-infrared fluorescent albumin nanoparticles with a long lifetime can be a potential theranostic agent for biomedical applications.

Keywords

• Albumin nanoparticles
• Autofluorescence
• pH sensor
• Bioimaging
• Drug delivery
• Acute lymphoid leukemia