New immunolatex spheres: visual markers of antigens on lymphocytes for scanning electron microscopy

Natural killer cell detection, quantification, and subpopulation identification on paper microfluidic cell chromatography using smartphone-based machine learning classification

Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that defend against viral infections and cancer and are used in cancer immunotherapies. Subpopulations of NK cells include CD56^dim and CD56^bright which either produce cytokines or cytotoxically kill cells directly. The absolute number and proportion of these cells in peripheral blood are tied to proper immune function. Current methods of cytokine detection and proportion of NK cell subpopulations require fluorescent dyes and highly specialized equipment, e.g., flow cytometry, thus rapid cell quantification and subpopulation analysis are needed in the clinical setting. Here, a smartphone-based device and a two-component paper microfluidic chip were used towards identifying NK cell subpopulation and inflammatory markers. One unit measured flow velocity via smartphone-captured video, determining cytokine (IL-2) and total NK cell concentrations in undiluted buffy coat blood samples. The other, single flow lane unit performs spatial separation of CD56^dim and CD56^bright and cells over its length using differential binding of anti-CD56 nanoparticles. A smartphone microscope combined with cloud-based machine learning predictive modeling (utilizing a random forest classification algorithm) analyzed both flow data and NK cell subpopulation differentiation. Limits of detection for cytokine and cell concentrations were 98 IU/mL and 68 cells/mL, respectively, and cell subpopulation analysis showed 89% accuracy.

Smartphone based on-chip fluorescence imaging and capillary flow velocity measurement for detecting ROR1+ cancer cells from buffy coat blood samples on dual-layer paper microfluidic chip

Diagnosis of hematological cancer requires complete white blood cell count, followed by flow cytometry with multiple markers, and cytology. It requires substantial time and specialized training. A dual-layer paper microfluidic chip was developed as a quicker, low-cost, and field-deployable alternative to detect ROR1+ (receptor tyrosine-like orphan receptor one) cancer cells from the undiluted and untreated buffy coat blood samples. The first capture layer consisted of a GF/D glass fiber substrate, preloaded with cancer specific anti-ROR1 conjugated fluorescent particles to its center for cancer cell capture and direct smartphone fluorescence imaging. The second flow layer was comprised of a grade 1 cellulose chromatography paper with wax-printed four channels for wicking and capillary flow-based detection. The flow velocity was used as measure of antigen concentration in the buffy coat sample. In this manner, intact cells and their antigens were separated and independently analyzed by both imaging and flow velocity analyses. A custom-made smartphone-based fluorescence microscope and automated image processing and particle counter software were developed to enumerate particles on paper, with the limit of detection of 1 cell/μL. Flow velocity analysis showed even greater sensitivity, with the limit of detection of 0.1 cells/μL in the first 6 s of assay. Comparison with capillary flow model revealed great alignment with experimental data and greater correlation to viscosity than interfacial tension. Our proposed device is able to capture and on-chip image ROR1+ cancer cells within a complex sample matrix (buffy coat) while simultaneously quantifying cell concentration in a point-of-care manner.

Design of polymer particle dispersions (latexes) in the course of radical heterophase polymerization for biomedical applications

Dispersions of polymer particle (DPPs) are increasingly being exploited both as biomolecule carriers, and as markers in various DPP biomedical applications related to cell and molecular biology, enzymology, immunology, diagnostics, in vitro and in vivo visualization, bioseparation, etc. Their potential to reduce reaction scales, lower costs, improve the rate, sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility of assays governs the diversity of their bioapplications. This review focuses on the design of DPPs with innovative special properties in the course of free radical heterophase polymerization that provides careful control of both macromolecular and colloidal properties. We demonstrate approaches that, according to the polymerization technique, regulate the particle size, shape, particle size distribution, morphology, surface chemistry and functionality, as well as the formation of organic-inorganic hybrid DPPs. The production of bioreagents based on DPPs and their use in bioassay are also reviewed.

The Application of Luminol-Bound Microspheres for the Quantitative Analysis of Toxic Oxygen within Phagosomes

Hydrophilic microspheres, with a diameter of about 2 μm, composed of glyceryl methacrylate and methacrylic acid were prepared. The microspheres could be stably stored in dispersed state and demonstrated little non-specific adherance to cell membranes. Luminol-bound microspheres, prepared by covalently binding luminol to microspheres, were phagocytosed by phagocytic cells without opsonization. Luminol bound to the microspheres was oxidized by toxic oxygen within phagosomes resulting in the generation of chem iluminescence. The chemiluminescence elicited by luminol-bound micro spheres was an effective method of measuring the candidacidal activity of the cells. The difference in phagosomal toxic oxygen versus extracellular toxic oxy gen was examined.

Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene Core/Polyacrolein Shell Latexes

The poly(styrene/acrolein) latexes were synthesized in an emul sifier-free emulsion-precipitation polymerization. Monodisperse particles from 0.30 μm to 0.52 μm, depending on the acrolein monomer feed, were obtained. More acrolein in the monomer feed yielded latex particles with smaller di ameters. Analyses indicate that the particles have a core-shell morphology. The core is rich in the hydrophobic (polystyrene) component whereas the shell is composed mainly of hydrophilic polyacrolein. Significant changes in polyacro lein in the latexes (from 0.03 to 0.28) has less influence on the composition of the shell (from 0.5 to 0.84, respectively). The surface of the latex particles is smooth and can be penetrated by 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine to the depth from 1.5 to 3.5 Å. These poly(styrene/acrolein) latexes are capable of binding ca. 3 mg of human globulins or ca. 1 mg of human serum albumin on 1 m2 of the latex surface.

Immobilization of aminoglycosidic aminocyclitols antibiotic onto soap-free poly(MMA-EA-AA) latex particles

Monodispersed soap-free poly(MMA-EA-AA) latex particles with surface carboxyl groups were synthesized by emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA) and acrylic acid (AA) in aqueous medium, and streptomycin sulfate (SMS) was immobilized onto these particles using three different methods. A model experiment was designed to test the feasibility of the reaction between the carboxyl groups of polymer and the amino groups of the medicine. The covalent coupling between the latex particles and the medicine was confirmed by XPS. Results showed that the medicine molecules were located on the particle surface after immobilization, and the coupling efficiency of SMS in pre-adsorption method was higher than that in direct method. The highest coupling efficiency of this medicine was achieved using the spacer-arm method. It was demonstrated that the immobilized medicine had similar antimicrobial activity as the free form using Escherichia coli as an evaluating organism.

Iron-dextran antibody conjugates: General method for simultaneous staining of two components in high-resolution immunoelectron microscopy

We report the preparation and properties of an electron-dense antibody conjugate, made by the covalent bonding of an iron-dextran (Imposil) particle to an antibody molecule. Transmission electron microscopic experiments with the Imposil-antibody conjugates demonstrate their suitability as specific immunostains at high resolution, particularly for simultaneous double staining experiments in conjunction with ferritin-antibody conjugates.

Lanthanide-containing polymer nanoparticles for biological tagging applications: nonspecific endocytosis and cell adhesion

We describe the synthesis and characterization of element-encoded polystyrene nanoparticles with diameters on the order of 100 nm and a narrow size distribution. Individual particles contain ca. 10(3) chelated lanthanide ions, of either a single element or a mixture of elements. These particles were effectively internalized by nonspecific endocytosis into three cell lines associated with human leukemia. Using an assay based upon ICP-MS detection, we could monitor quantitatively cell adhesion induced by cell differentiation of THP-1 cells in response to phorbol ester stimulation (PMA) in single cell type or mixed cultures.

Dendrimer FISH detection of single-copy intervals in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML-M3) is characterized by a translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 [t(15;17)]. The detection of t(15;17) at the single cell level, is commonly done by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using recombinant locus specific genomic probes greater than 14 kilobases kb in length. To allow a more thorough study of t(15;17), we designed small (0.9-3.6 kb), target-specific, single-copy probes from the human genome sequence. A novel detection approach was evaluated using moieties possessing more fluorophores, DNA dendrimers (up to 375 fluorophores per dendrimer). Two detection approaches were evaluated using the dendrimers: (1) dendrimers modified with anti-biotin antibodies for detection of biotinylated bound probes, and (2) dendrimers modified with 45-base long oligonucleotides designed from the single-copy probes, for direct detection of the target region. The selectivity of the probes was confirmed via indirect labeling with biotin/digoxigenin by nick translation, with detection efficiencies between 50 and 90%. Furthermore, the scFISH probes were successfully detected on metaphase cells with anti-biotin dendrimer conjugates and on interphase cells with 45-base modified dendrimers. Our results bring up the possibility to detect target regions of less than 1 kb, which will be a great contribution to high-resolution analysis of genomic sequences.

Separation of cationic polymer particles and characterization of avidin-immobilized particles by capillary electrophoresis

Cationic polymer microparticles have received much attention especially in the field of biotechnology, such that their analysis and separation have become important. So far, the separation of cationic polymer particles with different size using CE has not been achieved and the cationic particles migrated as if they are negatively charged, probably due to electrostatic interaction between capillary wall and cationic polymer particles. In this paper, the separation of cationic polymer microparticles by CE was investigated in detail. The separation of cationic particles with different size was achieved in CE by taking into account the interaction between sample particles and the inner surface of capillaries. By employing a poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated capillary, a better size separation of amine-modified latex particles was obtained compared to a Polybrene-coated capillary. It was elucidated that the composition, concentration, and pH of the background solution were also important factors in the separation of colloidal particles to avoid the surface adsorption and the characteristic aggregation of polymer particles. Furthermore, the CE analysis was applied to the characterization of cationic protein-immobilized particles.

Lipophilic porphyrin microparticles induced by AOT reverse micelles: a fluorescence lifetime imaging study

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) technique was applied to investigate the fluorescence dynamics and structural features of large colloidal aggregates of meso-tetra(N-dodecyl-4-amino sulfonyl-phenyl)porphyrin (PC12) induced by Sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethyl hexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. The aggregate's particle sizes (down to 1 microm) obtained from the confocal fluorescence images matched with the particle sizes measured in the images obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The fluorescence decays for those aggregates in the micro spatial domain show triexponential fluorescence lifetimes (tau1 approximately 12 ns, tau2 approximately 3 ns and tau3 approximately 1 ns) which are independent of the aggregate's size.

Water-soluble fluorescent diblock nanospheres

The hydroxyl groups of poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or PtBA-b-PHEMA were reacted with succinic anhydride to introduce some carboxyl groups into the PHEMA block. Such carboxyl groups were then reacted with Texas-red cadverine (TX-NH(2)) to incorporate dye molecules. The TX-bearing diblocks formed probably spherical micelles in block-selective solvent DMF/toluene containing 2% DMF. "Permanent" micelles or nanospheres were prepared after cross-linking the TX-bearing PHEMA core block. Such nanospheres were made water soluble by cleaving the tert-butyl groups from the PtBA coronas. Water-soluble nanospheres with high TX numbers and fluorescence quantum yields may find applications in fluorescence in situ hybridization assays.

Flow cytometry: an 'old' tool for novel applications in medical genetics

Flow cytometry was originally established as an automated method for measuring optical or fluorescence characteristics of cells or particles in suspension. In the meantime, flow cytometers have become user-friendlier, less expensive instruments with an increasing importance in clinical diagnostics. Besides the classical fields of application, such as immunophenotyping blood cells or analyzing the cell cycle status by measuring the DNA content, novel flow cytometric methods have been developed to identify and to quantify disease-related gene sequences. Here we give an overview of current and future applications, including the detection of viral sequences via microsphere-based PCR assays and the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms, reflecting individual phenotypic traits. Furthermore, flow cytometry allows the quantification of gene expression changes as well as the isolation of differentially expressed gene sequences. Flow cytometry is also convenient for multiplex analyses, e.g. when hybridizing DNA samples to a mixture of various microsphere populations each coated with different DNA probes. Last but not least, the use of magnetic beads in combination with flow cytometers coupled with automated devices enables molecular diagnostics on a large scale. Overall, this review demonstrates flow cytometry as a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible tool applicable to a wide range of medical genetic approaches.

Acetal-functionalized polymer particles useful for immunoassays. III: preparation of latex-protein complexes and their applications

Monodisperse polymer colloids with dimethyl and diethyl acetal functionalities synthesized by a two-step emulsion polymerization process were chosen as the polymeric support to carry out covalent coupling with the antibody IgG anti C-reactive protein, and to test the utility of the latex-protein complexes formed in immunoassays with the specific CRP antigen. More than the 80% of the initially linked protein was covalently coupled in all of the latexes. The agglutination reaction was followed by turbidimetry. With the aim of analyzing the effect of some of the variables of the immunological reaction, the reaction time, the particle concentration and the coverage degree of protein in the complexes were varied.

Development of rapid one-step immunochromatographic assay

An analytical system for a one-step immunoassay has been constructed using the concept of immunochromatography. The system employed two different antibodies that bound distinct epitopes of an analyte molecule: an antibody labeled with a signal generator (e.g., colloidal gold), which was placed in the dry state at a predetermined site on a glass-fiber membrane, and another antibody immobilized on the surface of a nitrocellulose membrane. Three membranes, one with the tracer, one with immobilized antibody, and a cellulose membrane as the absorbent of medium (in a sequence from the bottom), were attached to a plastic film and cut into strips. Aqueous medium containing analyte absorbed from the bottom end of the immunostrip dissolved the labeled antibody, and the antigen-antibody binding complex formed was transported into the next nitrocellulose membrane by the flow caused by capillary action. The complex subsequently reacted with the immobilized antibody, which generated a signal in proportion to the analyte concentration. The convective mass transfer of the immunoreactant to the binding partner allowed the assay to be performed with no handling of reagents. The reaction, however, was carried out under nonequilibrium conditions, which resulted in decreased sensitivity as compared with assays performed in an equilibrium mode (e.g., ELISA). To minimize such sacrifice, major factors that control system performance were identified and the system was then devised under optimal conditions.

Preparation of avidin-labelled gelatin nanoparticles as carriers for biotinylated peptide nucleic acid (PNA)

The possibility of preparing uniform nanoparticles consisting of proteins such as gelatin followed by covalent linkage of avidin was investigated. Gelatin nanoparticles were prepared by two step desolvation. Functional groups at the surface of the particulate system were quantified with site-specific reagents. The surface of the nanoparticles was thiolated and avidin was covalently attached to the nanoparticles via a bifunctional spacer at high levels. Biotinylated peptide nucleic acid (PNA) was effectively complexed by the avidin-conjugated nanoparticles. Avidin-conjugated protein nanoparticles should prove as potential carrier system for biotinylated drug derivatives in antisense therapy.

Grafting protein ligand monolayers onto the surface of microparticles for probing the accessibility of cell surface receptors

Coupling of a specific ligand to vaccines or drugs can be a powerful aid to route these compounds to a certain target cell population. However, if the targeted receptor is buried in a glycocalyx, binding of the ligand may be sterically hindered or even abolished, especially when the ligand is attached to bulky payloads. The antigen-transporting M cells that cover the gut-associated lymphoid tissue have a less pronounced glycocalyx than neighboring enterocytes. Such architectural differences might provide a possibility for targeting micro- or nanoparticulate vaccines to the mucosal immune system. To investigate the influence of the glycocalyx on the accessibility of cell surface receptors, we developed a system where a monolayer of ligand molecules is coupled in spatially aligned manner onto the surface of microparticles. On the basis of fluorescent carboxylate-modified particles of 1 micron diameter, different synthetic strategies were tested. Particles were first modified to display aldehyde functions on their surface, then protein ligands were coupled via Schiff base formation. The performance of the particles was tested on cultured mouse fibroblasts using the B subunit of cholera toxin as ligand and the plasma membrane glycolipid ganglioside G(M1) as receptor. Cholera toxin B subunit-coated microparticles generated by one of our synthetic pathways exhibited specific binding to fibroblasts which could be blocked with soluble cholera toxin B subunit. As particles as small as 50 nm and any proteinaceous ligand may be used, this system provides a versatile means for monitoring receptor accessibilities in vitro and in vivo.

Direct involvement of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM)-binding membrane proteins in the organization of microvilli in collaboration with activated ERM proteins

Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins have been thought to play a central role in the organization of cortical actin-based cytoskeletons including microvillar formation through cross-linking actin filaments and integral membrane proteins such as CD43, CD44, and ICAM-2. To examine the functions of these ERM-binding membrane proteins (ERMBMPs) in cortical morphogenesis, we overexpressed ERMBMPs (the extracellular domain of E-cadherin fused with the transmembrane/cytoplasmic domain of CD43, CD44, or ICAM-2) in various cultured cells. In cultured fibroblasts such as L and CV-1 cells, their overexpression significantly induced microvillar elongation, recruiting ERM proteins and actin filaments. When the ERM-binding domains were truncated from these molecules, their ability to induce microvillar elongation became undetectable. In contrast, in cultured epithelial cells such as MTD-1A and A431 cells, the overexpression of ERMBMPs did not elongate microvilli. However, in the presence of EGF, overexpression of ERMBMPs induced remarkable microvillar elongation in A431 cells. These results indicated that ERMBMPs function as organizing centers for cortical morphogenesis by organizing microvilli in collaboration with activated ERM proteins. Furthermore, immunodetection with a phosphorylated ERM-specific antibody and site-directed mutagenesis suggested that ERM proteins phosphorylated at their COOH-terminal threonine residue represent activated ERM proteins.

Evaluation of aminoalkylmethacrylate nanoparticles as colloidal drug carrier systems. Part I: Synthesis of monomers, dependence of the physical properties on the polymerization methods

Conventional nanoparticles based on acrylic compounds are lipophilic and possess a negative surface charge. This is due to their manufacturing process and to the chemical structure of the polymer. Hence, these particles are not suitable for the adsorption of hydrophilic anionic drugs. In the present investigation, positively charged copolymer nanoparticles prepared from aminoalkyl- and methylmethacrylates were evaluated, with regard to their physical properties. This report provides a detailed description of the synthesis of the non-commercially available monomers and their polymerization procedure. Various parameters were investigated, such as comonomer content, total amount of monomer, concentration of the radical initiator, and the composition of the polymerization medium. The resulting particle diameter and the surface charge were found to be strongly dependent on the polymerization conditions and on the pH. Optimization of the polymerization procedure yielded nanoparticles of about 200 nm exhibiting a positive surface charge. The charges of the different copolymer particles were then compared at different pH values. N-trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (TMAEMC) nanoparticles with quaternary ammonium groups located at their surfaces, possessed a nearly constant positive zeta potential at various pH values and, consequently, pH-independent particle diameters. The physical characteristics of the other aminoalkyl copolymers correlated with the basicity of the monomers employed and were found to be strongly dependent on the pH of the dispersion medium. Aminoethylmethacrylate (AEMC), methylaminoethylmethacrylate (MMAEMC), and aminohexylmethacrylate (AHMC) as well as aminoethylmethacrylamide (AHMAC) copolymer nanoparticles exhibited a strong positively charged surface even at physiological pH and, therefore, are useful candidates for the adsorption of anionic drugs.

Green- and red-fluorescent nanospheres for the detection of cell surface receptors by flow cytometry

Fluorescent probes serve as sensitive tools for obtaining structural and functional information in cellular systems. In spite of the high sensitivity provided by fluorescent reagents, cell surface receptors expressed in low numbers often escape detection with commonly used fluorescent probes. R-Phycoerythrin (R-PE), a molecule with a very high quantum yield, is often the reagent of choice for the detection of such low abundance events. We have developed streptavidin conjugates of two highly fluorescent 35-40 nm diameter polystyrene nanospheres, the green fluorescent FluoSpheres (Ex/Em 505/515) and red fluorescent TransFluoSpheres (Ex/Em 488/645). Like R-PE, the new reagents have peak excitations near 488 nm but differ in their emission maxima; 515 nm for the green nanospheres, 645 nm for the red nanospheres and 575 nm for R-PE. Hence the nanospheres are detected by flow cytometry in channels capable of detecting green (FL1) and red (FL3) fluorescence, while R-PE is detected in channel FL2. These nanospheres were tested for the detection of the sparsely expressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of NIH-3T3 cells and the densely expressed EGFR of A431 cells. Results indicate that the nanosphere reagents are more sensitive than fluorescein-streptavidin and at least comparable in sensitivity to R-PE-streptavidin. The simultaneous use of these nanospheres with R-PE was also studied by concurrent staining of the CD3 and CD4 receptors in JURKAT cells. Labeling of CD4 receptors with streptavidin nanospheres and CD3 receptors with the R-PE-anti-CD3 conjugate confirmed the suitability of using the new nanospheres in combination with R-PE in multicolor flow cytometry experiments. This paper thus describes the use of alternative tools with detection sensitivity comparable to that of R-PE, but detected in different channels than R-PE, permitting their simultaneous use with R-PE.

Epithelial uptake and transport of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and gp120-coated microparticles

Cell-free human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can be taken up and released by a monolayer of primary human gingival cells and remain infectious for CD4+ cells. Virus-sized latex particles covalently coated with purified native HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 are also transported through the primary epithelial cells. This process is significantly stimulated by increasing the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration. Inhibition experiments with mannan and alpha-methyl-mannopyranoside indicated that mannosyl groups are involved in the interaction between gp120 and gingival cells. An increase of cellular oligomannosyl receptors by incubation with the mannosidase inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin augmented transcellular transport of the gp120-coated particles. The results suggest that infectious HIV can penetrate gingival epithelia by a cAMP-dependent transport mechanism involving interaction of the lectin-like domain of gp120 and mannosyl residues on glycoproteins on the mucosal surface. Penetration of HIV could be inhibited by soluble glycoconjugates present in oral mucins.

Composite poly(methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) latex for immunoassay. The case of plasminogen

Poly(methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) latex (ACRYLAT) was synthesized by radical precipitation polymerization. The mass median diameter (MMD) and the geometrical standard deviation (GSD) of the ACRYLAT particles were 138 nm and 1.2, respectively. The concentration of the titrable carboxylic groups in the surface layer of latex particles was equal to 8.41 x 10(-6) mol m-2. Latex was able to bind up to 2.82 x 10(-7) mol of 1-aminopyrene per 1 m2 of the surface of the latex particles due to the ionic interactions between carboxylate anions and ammonium cations of protonated 1-aminopyrene. ACRYLAT was able to immobilize covalently human serum albumin in amounts up to 0.23 mg m-2. Aggregation of ACRYLAT with immobilized HSA, induced with specific antibodies (anti-HSA), was investigated turbidimetrically. The results indicated that in the model turbidimetric immunoassay, ACRYLAT coated with HSA can be used for the detection of anti-HSA in the goat anti-HSA serum diluted from 50 to 7000-fold. Immobilization of rabbit antibodies to plasminogen (anti-Plg) to ACRYLAT via the epsilon-aminocaproic acid linkers provided particles which were used for the development of the turbidimetric immunoassay for plasminogen. In this assay plasminogen could be detected in concentration ranging from 0.75 to 75 micrograms ml-1 in the blood plasma.

Induction of acetylcholine receptor cluster formation by local application of growth factors in cultured Xenopus muscle cells

A survey of several growth factors was carried out to determine their effect on the formation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters in cultured Xenopus muscle cells. Factors were locally applied via polystyrene beads and AChR clustering at bead-muscle contacts was assessed. Among the factors tested, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I, as well as several polycations, were found to be effective in inducing AChR clusters. The action of these molecules appears to be mediated by tyrosine kinase receptors, since it can be blocked by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. These results suggest that local ligand-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in the formation of AChR clusters.

Preparation and characterization of lectin-latex conjugates for specific bioadhesion

This paper reports on the preparation and characterization of certain bioadhesive model drug deliver systems formed by a carrier (e.g. modified nanoparticles of polystyrene) and a ligand (e.g. tomato lectin, asparagus pea lectin, Mycoplasma gallisepticum lectin or albumin). Three different manufacturing methods (carbodiimide and glutaraldehyde coupling and physical adsorption) were studied. The activity of the lectin-latex conjugates and albumin-latex conjugate (control) were tested with gastric pig mucin. The manufacturing method had an insignificant effect on the activity, but all lectin-latex conjugates interacted two or three times more with mucin than with the control.

Monosize microbeads based on polystyrene and their modified forms for some selected medical and biological applications

Polymeric particles are produced by different polymerization techniques. Phase inversion (dispersion) polymerization is one of the recent techniques to obtain monosize polymeric microbeads in the size range of 1-50 microns. The size and monodispersity of these microbeads can be adjusted by using several solvent systems (e.g., alcohol-water mixtures) with different polarities and by changing the type and amount of monomer, initiator and stabilizer. Surfaces of these microbeads can be further modified by different techniques including coating with different copolymers. Monosize polymeric microbeads are widely used in medical and biological applications as carriers, such as in immunoassays and cell separation, in site-specific drug delivery systems, in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging, in studying the phagocytic process, in affinity separation of biological entities, etc. Here, some important aspects of the production of monosize microbeads based on polystyrene and their modified forms are briefly discussed, and some selected medical and biological applications are summarized.

Evidence for retrograde traffic between terminal lysosomes and the prelysosomal/late endosome compartment

We have investigated the interactions occurring between the prelysosomal compartment, PLC/late endosome, and terminal lysosomes using an approach that allowed us to internalize and deliver specific tracers to these compartments, and look for evidence of their meeting. After internalization of sucrose, the lysosomes (sucrosomes), but not the PLC/late endosomes, became significantly swollen and visible in the light microscope. If invertase is then added to the medium it reaches the lysosomes where it cleaves sucrose into fructose and glucose. These sugars, unlike sucrose, can be transported into the cytosol, resulting in the disappearance of the sucrosomes. We previously showed that phagocytosed latex beads are delivered specifically to, and reside in, the PLC/late endosome, a stage earlier than the lysosomes in the endocytic pathway (Rabinowitz et al. (1992) J. Cell Biol. 116, 95–112). In the present study, we demonstrate that invertase conjugated to the latex beads, and thus immobilized in late endosomes, has access to the sucrose present in the more distal lysosomes. Experiments using nocodazole indicate that this retrograde fusion event requires the presence of an intact microtubule network. The simplest interpretation of our results is that the two compartments fuse, allowing for a retrograde transport of sucrose from the lysosomes to the PLC/late endosomes.

Microspheres for biomedical applications: preparation of reactive and labelled microspheres

This review describes the synthesis and physico-chemical properties of reactive and labelled microspheres useful for biomedical applications. Preparation of microspheres with specific functional groups, fluorescent species, radionuclides and magnetite particles (Fe2O3) are discussed. Physico-chemical properties of microspheres, including surface charge and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, are also briefly covered.

A flow microsphere inhibition immunoassay (FMII) for detecting paratope binding anti-idiotypic antibodies

A simple, rapid and reproducible flow microsphere inhibition immunoassay (FMII) has been developed to detect the ability of paratope specific anti-idiotypic antibody (anti-Id or AB2) to inhibit antigen binding to the corresponding paratope of the Id (AB1). To evaluate the FMII as a measurement of paratope binding anti-Id, an avian model was used to produce Id and anti-Id antibodies for the study. Both antibody to bovine serum albumin (BSA Id) and anti-BSA Id were produced in white leghorn chickens and affinity isolated from egg yolks. The anti-BSA Id samples were incubated with BSA Id coated microspheres, then without rinsing, fluoresceinated BSA (BSA-FITC) was added for a short incubation period and the resulting decrease in fluorescent intensity was used to calculate the extent of inhibition. For validation, statistical comparisons of the line equations generated by BSA dilution curves and anti-BSA Id dilution curves were performed. Replications within each ligand were not significantly different which indicated the assay was reproducible for determining the presence of paratope reactive anti-BSA Id used in this model.

Synthesis of new hydrophilic microspheres: optimized carriers for microparticle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassays

To optimize antigen-antibody reactions, we have synthesized chemically well-defined hydrophilic microspheres. Proteins or haptens were covalently linked to these carriers. When the microsphere conjugates were agglutinated by the corresponding antiserum, the size of the complex artificially increased during the immunological reaction. After optimizing various parameters such as the hydrophilic character, repulsion charges, and amount of antigen coupled to the microspheres, we developed a rapid and sensitive immunoassay based on laser light scattering by the complexes.