Selective targeting of microglia by quantum dots.

TitleSelective targeting of microglia by quantum dots.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsS Minami S, Sun B, Popat K, Kauppinen T, Pleiss M, Zhou Y, Ward ME, Floreancig P, Mucke L, Desai T, Gan L
JournalJ Neuroinflammation
Volume9
Pagination22
Date Published2012 Jan 24
ISSN1742-2094
KeywordsAmyloid beta-Peptides, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Brain, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Cell Death, Cerebral Cortex, Clathrin, CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1, Cytokines, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Endocytosis, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Immunotoxins, Mannans, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Microfilament Proteins, Microglia, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Neurons, Peptide Fragments, Poly I, Quantum Dots, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Receptors, Chemokine, Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1, Stereotaxic Techniques, Time Factors
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have been implicated in brain injury and various neurological disorders. However, their precise roles in different pathophysiological situations remain enigmatic and may range from detrimental to protective. Targeting the delivery of biologically active compounds to microglia could help elucidate these roles and facilitate the therapeutic modulation of microglial functions in neurological diseases.

METHODS: Here we employ primary cell cultures and stereotaxic injections into mouse brain to investigate the cell type specific localization of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) in vitro and in vivo. Two potential receptors for QDs are identified using pharmacological inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies.

RESULTS: In mixed primary cortical cultures, QDs were selectively taken up by microglia; this uptake was decreased by inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, implicating the endosomal pathway as the major route of entry for QDs into microglia. Furthermore, inhibiting mannose receptors and macrophage scavenger receptors blocked the uptake of QDs by microglia, indicating that QD uptake occurs through microglia-specific receptor endocytosis. When injected into the brain, QDs were taken up primarily by microglia and with high efficiency. In primary cortical cultures, QDs conjugated to the toxin saporin depleted microglia in mixed primary cortical cultures, protecting neurons in these cultures against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that QDs can be used to specifically label and modulate microglia in primary cortical cultures and in brain and may allow for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to these cells.

DOI10.1186/1742-2094-9-22
Alternate JournalJ Neuroinflammation
PubMed ID22272874
PubMed Central IDPMC3292839
Grant ListR01 AG030207 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG036884 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG030207-A2 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
RR18928-01 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States