Probing intra-cellular drug release event using activatable (OFF/ON) CdS:Mn/ZnS quantum dots (Qdots): spectroscopic studies to investigate interaction of Qdots with quencher

Tharkur, Jeremy; Teblum, Andrew; Basumallick, Srijita; Shah, Rikhav; Cantarero, Karishma; Maity, Niharika; Rifai, S.; Doshi, Mona; Gesquiere, Andre J.; Santra, Swadeshmukul

doi:10.1117/12.2008983

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Luminescent Qdots are photo-stable compared to traditional organic dies, which has led to their study for in vitro and in vivo imaging [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. A core–shell structure is commonly employed in Qdot synthesis to achieve high quantum yield, and to lower the toxic effects of cadmium [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]. Qdots have a broad excitation and tunable emission spectra, which allows for multiplexed imaging [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, there has been much research focused on activatable Qdots for drug delivery and imaging [ 7 , 8 , 16 ]. Typically, when loaded with drugs, these Qdots are put in the “OFF” state with their fluorescence quenched due to energy transfer from the Qdot to the drug or a drug–quencher composite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Qdots are fabricated at room temperature using a water-in-oil (W/O) micro-emulsion system, and dopamine is used as a capping agent and quencher of the Qdot fluorescence [ 20 , 21 , 24 ]. This gives the Qdot activatable properties, since the disulfide bond connecting the dopamine quencher to the Qdot particle is easily broken through reduction by intracellular glutathione [ 7 , 8 ]. The dopamine also acts as a model drug, simulating intercellular drug delivery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Non-Cytotoxic Quantum Dot–Chitosan Nanogel Biosensing Probe for Potential Cancer Targeting Agent

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Quantum dot (Qdot) biosensors have consistently provided valuable information to researchers about cellular activity due to their unique fluorescent properties. Many of the most popularly used Qdots contain cadmium, posing the risk of toxicity that could negate their attractive optical properties. The design of a non-cytotoxic probe usually involves multiple components and a complex synthesis process. In this paper, the design and synthesis of a non-cytotoxic Qdot-chitosan nanogel composite using straight-forward cyanogen bromide (CNBr) coupling is reported. The probe was characterized by spectroscopy (UV-Vis, fluorescence), microscopy (Fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering. This activatable OPEN ACCESS Nanomaterials 2015, 5 2360 ("OFF"/"ON") probe contains a core-shell Qdot (CdS:Mn/ZnS) capped with dopamine, which acts as a fluorescence quencher and a model drug. Dopamine capped "OFF" Qdots can undergo ligand exchange with intercellular glutathione, which turns the Qdots "ON" to restore fluorescence. These Qdots were then coated with chitosan (natural biocompatible polymer) functionalized with folic acid (targeting motif) and Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC; fluorescent dye). To demonstrate cancer cell targetability, the interaction of the probe with cells that express different folate receptor levels was analyzed, and the cytotoxicity of the probe was evaluated on these cells and was shown to be nontoxic even at concentrations as high as 100 mg/L.

show abstract