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Improving Biomaterials Imaging for Nanotechnology: Rapid Methods for Protein Localization at Ultrastructural Level
Author(s) -
CanoGarrido Olivia,
GarciaFruitós Elena,
Villaverde Antonio,
SánchezChardi Alejandro
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.201700388
Subject(s) - nanoparticle , transmission electron microscopy , nanotechnology , chemistry , resolution (logic) , microscopy , biophysics , materials science , computer science , biology , physics , artificial intelligence , optics
The preparation of biological samples for electron microscopy is material‐ and time‐consuming because it is often based on long protocols that also may produce artifacts. Protein labeling for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is such an example, taking several days. However, for protein‐based nanotechnology, high resolution imaging techniques are unique and crucial tools for studying the spatial distribution of these molecules, either alone or as components of biomaterials. In this paper, we tested two new short methods of immunolocalization for TEM, and compared them with a standard protocol in qualitative and quantitative approaches by using four protein‐based nanoparticles. We reported a significant increase of labeling per area of nanoparticle in both new methodologies ( H = 19.811; p < 0.001) with all the model antigens tested: GFP ( H = 22.115; p < 0.001), MMP‐2 ( H = 19.579; p < 0.001), MMP‐9 ( H = 7.567; p < 0.023), and IFN‐γ ( H = 62.110; p < 0.001). We also found that the most suitable protocol for labeling depends on the nanoparticle's tendency to aggregate. Moreover, the shorter methods reduce artifacts, time (by 30%), residues, and reagents hindering, losing, or altering antigens, and obtaining a significant increase of protein localization (of about 200%). Overall, this study makes a step forward in the development of optimized protocols for the nanoscale localization of peptides and proteins within new biomaterials.