In vivo accurate target bio-marking of tumors through in situ biosynthesized fluorescent zinc nanoclusters

Abstract

Zinc has important physiological and biochemical functions in the body of human beings, the relevant concentrations of zinc ions were found to considerably decrease when some cancers occurred. Thus, in this contribution, we have explored the possibility of effective imaging or the labeling of cancer cells through in situ biosynthesized zinc nanoclusters. The results demonstrate that we can readily realize the target cellular fluorescence bio-imaging through the in situ biosynthesis of biocompatible zinc nanoclusters from cancerous cells when target cells are cultured with micromolar zinc gluconate solutions. Moreover, in vivo imaging of subcutaneous xenografted tumors in nude mice has also established the validity of this strategy for the rapid and precise target bio-imaging of tumors by subcutaneous injections of zinc gluconate solutions, without significant dissemination to the surrounding normal tissues, resulting from a completely different redox homeostasis of cancer cells from normal cells. This strategy could provide a new ultrasensitive way for rapid & accurate tumor diagnosis/treatment through zinc gluconate, an ideal organic zinc supplement with good biological compatibility and high bioavailability.