Functionalized‐Quantum‐Dot–Liposome Hybrids as Multimodal Nanoparticles for Cancer

Abstract

Functionalized-quantum-dot-liposome (f-QD-L) hybrid nanoparticles are engineered by encapsulating poly(ethylene glycol)-coated QD in the internal aqueous phase of different lipid bilayer vesicles. f-QD-L maintain the QD fluorescence characteristics as confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cationic f-QD-L hybrids lead to dramatic improvements in cellular binding and internalization in tumor-cell monolayer cultures. Deeper penetration into three-dimensional multicellular spheroids is obtained for f-QD-L by modifying the lipid bilayer characteristics of the hybrid system. f-QD-L are injected intratumorally into solid tumor models leading to extensive fluorescent staining of tumor cells compared to injections of the f-QD alone. f-QD-L hybrid nanoparticles constitute a versatile tool for very efficient labeling of cells ex vivo and in vivo, particularly when long-term imaging and tracking of cells is sought. Moreover, f-QD-L offer many opportunities for the development of combinatory therapeutic and imaging (theranostic) modalities by incorporating both drug molecules and QD within the different compartments of a single vesicle.

Magnetic field responsive drug release from magnetoliposomes in biological fluids

“…Iron pentacarbonyl Fe(CO) 5 (260 ml, 2 mmol) was then added and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 h, during which the colour of the solution changed from orange to brown-black. At the end of this step, the dispersion of NPs was cooled down to room temperature and purged with nitrogen.…”

“…[1][2][3] Liposomes found large applicability because of their biocompatibility, flexibility in composition and size, 4 as well as ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules into the aqueous pool 5,6 or within the lipid bilayer, 7,8 respectively. One of the key features of a drug carrier is the release of the encapsulated drug selectively at the target site with an efficient rate.…”

Encapsulation efficiency of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots by liposomes determined by thermal lens microscopy

“…The positive surface charge is an essential issue responsible for increased cellular liposome uptake [4,27]. Lipodots used in this study possess a negative charge, what favors its bioimaging applications, since cationic surfactants and lipids (in general positive charged components) could cause cell damage [28,29].…”

Quantum Dot Labeling for Assessment of Intracellular Trafficking of Therapeutically Active Molecules

“…In another case, PEGylated QDs have been encapsulated in lipid vesicles with different lipid concentration to maximize the encapsulation effi cacy [116] . Similarly, Chen and co -workers prepared QD and silica loaded liposomes [114] .…”