Hybrid lipid-AuNP clusters as highly efficient SERS substrates for biomedical applications

Year: 2024

Authors: Cardellini J., Dallari C., De Santis I., Riccio L., Ceni C., Morrone A., Calamai M., Pavone F.S., Credi C., Montis C., Berti D.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Florence, Dept Chem Ugo Schiff, Florence, Italy; Univ Florence, CSGI, Florence, Italy; European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; CNR, Natl Inst Opt, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Meyer Childrens Hosp IRCCS, Neurosci Dept, Lab Mol Biol Neurometab Dis, Florence, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Neurosci Psychol Drug Res & Child Hlth NEUROF, Florence, Italy; Swiss Fed Inst Technol, Inst Chem & Bioengn, Dept Chem & Appl Biosci, Zurich, Switzerland; Univ Vienna, Inst Organ Chem, Fac Chem, Vienna, Austria.

Abstract: Although Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is widely applied for ultrasensitive diagnostics and imaging, its potential is largely limited by the difficult preparation of SERS tags, typically metallic nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with Raman-active molecules (RRs), whose production often involves complex synthetic approaches, low colloidal stability and poor reproducibility. Here, we introduce LipoGold Tags, a simple platform where gold NPs (AuNPs) clusters form via self-assembly on lipid vesicle. RRs embedded in the lipid bilayer experience enhanced electromagnetic field, significantly increasing their Raman signals. We modulate RRs and lipid vesicle concentrations to achieve optimal SERS enhancement and we provide robust structural characterization. We further demonstrate the versatility of LipoGold Tags by functionalizing them with biomolecular probes, including antibodies. As proof of concept, we successfully detect intracellular GM1 alterations, distinguishing healthy donors from patients with infantile GM1 gangliosidosis, showcasing LipoGold Tags as advancement in SERS probes production.

Journal/Review: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

Volume: 15 (1)      Pages from: 7975-1  to: 7975-13

More Information: This work has been supported by the European Community through the BOW project (H2020-EIC-FETPROACT2019, ID 952183), by DoptoScreen project (Fondo di Beneficenza Intesa San Paolo 2019, B/2019/0289), RISE project, Regione Toscana (Bando Salute 2018) for the project Lysolate and PRIN 2022 (20228S5LWY). The authors acknowledge MIUR-Italy (Progetto Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018-2022, ref B96C1700020008 allocated to the Department of Chemistry Ugo Schiff). Financial support was also provided by the Integrated infrastructure initiative in photonic and quantum sciences-I-PHOQS project financed by the EU next generation PNRR action and by PRIN 2022 PNRR: Lipid Nanovectors for the Delivery of Nucleic Acids: a Composition-Structure-Function Relationship Approach (Lancelot) – P2022RBF5P – CUP B53D23025810001 – Finanziato dall’Unione europea – Next Generation EU – Missione 4, Componente 2, Investimento 1.1 – Avviso MUR D.D. 1409 del 14/09/2022. We acknowledge the Florence Center for Electron Nanoscopy (FloCEN) at the University of Florence and the Centro di competenza-RISE funded by FAS Regione Toscana. The authors also wish to acknowledge Andrea Trabocchi, Riccardo Innocenti, and Elena Lenci (Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Florence) for their assistance in the experiments.
KeyWords: Enhanced Raman-scattering; Gold Nanoparticles; Cancer-cells; Tags; Membranes; Nanotags; Alkyne
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52205-9