One-Pot Synthesized Aptamer-Functionalized CdTe:Zn²⁺ Quantum Dots for Tumor-Targeted Fluorescence Imaging in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract

High quality and facile DNA functionalized quantum dots (QDs) as efficient fluorescence nanomaterials are of great significance for bioimaging both in vitro and in vivo applications. Herein, we offer a strategy to synthesize DNA-functionalized Zn(2+) doped CdTe QDs (DNA-QDs) through a facile one-pot hydrothermal route. DNA is directly attached to the surface of QDs. The as-prepared QDs exhibit small size (3.85 ± 0.53 nm), high quantum yield (up to 80.5%), and excellent photostability. In addition, the toxicity of QDs has dropped considerably because of the Zn-doping and the existence of DNA. Furthermore, DNA has been designed as an aptamer specific for mucin 1 overexpressed in many cancer cells including lung adenocarcinoma. The aptamer-functionalized Zn(2+) doped CdTe QDs (aptamer-QDs) have been successfully applied in active tumor-targeted imaging in vitro and in vivo. A universal design of DNA for synthesis of Zn(2+) doped CdTe QDs could be extended to other target sequences. Owing to the abilities of specific recognition and the simple synthesis route, the applications of QDs will potentially be extended to biosensing and bioimaging.

Quantum dots: bright and versatile in vitro and in vivo fluorescence imaging biosensors

“…The possibility to use such aqueous QDs for in vivo imaging has been shown in different studies. 53,[411][412][413][414][415][416] Also biocompatible alloyed QDs have been developed and CdTeSe-CdS core-shell QDs were successfully applied as NIR in vivo imaging probes. Injected to rodents the QDs did not show any apparent toxic effects over three months, which was confirmed by histological sectioning.…”

Using CdTe/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots to detect DNA and damage to DNA

“…Different types of core/shell QDs (CdSe/ZnS, CdTe/ZnS, and CdTe/ ZnSe), core/shell/shell QDs (CdTe/CdS/ZnS and CdSe/ CdTe/ZnSe), and environmentally friendly QDs (CuInSe, Ag 2 S, and Si) have been synthesized for various purposes. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In our previous study, we reported that CdTe/ZnSe core/shell QDs can be applied for in vitro imaging of chicken tissue and embryo. 29 The biological applications of QDs can be hampered by their inherently low solubility in water.…”

One-step synthesized immunostimulatory oligonucleotides-functionalized quantum dots for simultaneous enhanced immunogenicity and cell imaging

“…To verify the validity of this approach, we firstly prepared the CpG-QDs by a one-pot method [33][34][35][36][37]. The developed CpG-QDs exhibited strong green fluorescence signal, with an emission maximum at 560 nm (Fig.…”