Quantum dot penetration into viable human skin

Tarl W. Prow, Nancy A. Monteiro-Riviere, Alfred O. Inman, Jeffrey E. Grice, Xianfeng Chen, Xin Zhao, Washington H. Sanchez, Audrey Gierden, Mark A.F. Kendall, Andrei V. Zvyagin, Detlev Erdmann, Jim E. Riviere, Michael S. Roberts*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Systematic studies probing the effects of nanoparticle surface modification and formulation pH are important in nanotoxicology and nanomedicine. In this study, we use laser-scanning fluorescence confocal microscopy to evaluate nanoparticle penetration in viable excised human skin that was intact or tape-stripped. Quantum dot (QD) fluorescent nanoparticles with three surface modifications: Polyethylene glycol (PEG), PEG-amine (PEG-NH2) and PEG-carboxyl (PEG-COOH) were evaluated for human skin penetration from aqueous solutions at pH 7.0 and at pHs of solutions provided by the QD manufacturer: 8.3 (PEG, PEG-NH2) and 9.0 (PEG-COOH). There was some penetration into intact viable epidermis of skin for the PEG-QD at pH 8.3, but not at pH 7.0 nor for any other QD at the pHs used. Upon tape stripping 30 strips of stratum corneum, all QDs penetrated through the viable epidermis and into the upper dermis within 24 h.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)173-185
Number of pages13
JournalNanotoxicology
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2012

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Exposure
  • Nanoparticles
  • Nanotoxicology
  • Surface chemistry

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