Synthesis of ternary CuInS2/ZnS quantum dot bioconjugates and their applications for targeted cancer bioimaging

Abstract

This contribution introduces the use of cadmium-free CuInS(2) quantum dots (QDs) for targeted and multiplexed optical imaging of tumors in mice. CuInS(2)/ZnS QDs were synthesized in a non-aqueous phase using the hot colloidal synthesis method. Previous challenges involving stable aqueous dispersion of highly luminescent CuInS(2)/ZnS QDs have been overcome by encapsulating them within functionalized phospholipid micelles, which also facilitated their conjugation with folic acid for targeted delivery. Luminescence signals of QDs of multiple colors were readily differentiated from background autofluorescence in whole animal optical imaging. In addition, two-photon excitation studies revealed that the prepared water-dispersible QDs are suitable for two-photon in vitro and in vivo imaging. This study demonstrates the important key steps in realizing of the potential of CuInS(2) QDs as low-toxicity, photostable, cadmium-free and highly luminescent probes for cancer detection and sensing.

Electronic properties and third-order optical nonlinearities in tetragonal chalcopyrite AgInS2, AgInS2/ZnS and cubic spinel AgIn5S8, AgIn5S8/ZnS quantum dots

“…Among many candidates, much attention by scientists has been devoted to the ternary quantum dots (QDs) belonging to the A I B III X VI group where A = (Cu, Ag), B = (In, Al, Ga) and X = (S, Se, Te). [1][2][3][4] This is mainly due to their cadmium-free chemical composition and favourable spectroscopic properties in both the energy and time domains which are well matched with those expected for the next generation probes. Due to the size effect, the emission band maximum of the A It is known that metal-enhanced fluorescence or Förster energy transfers shorten the luminescence lifetime making the analysis very challenging for luminescent agents characterized by lifetimes shorter than 30 ns.…”

Brightly luminescent colloidal Ag–In–S nanoparticles stabilized in aqueous solutions by branched polyethyleneimine

“…Typically, the NP-containing assemblies are produced using microball-like polymer macromolecules capable of binding to the NP surface (for example polyethylene glycol [3,5,6,[9][10][11], phospholipids [12,13], various block-copolymers, DNAs, etc. [3,5]).…”

A Review on Aptamer-Conjugated Quantum Dot Nanosystems for Cancer Imaging and Theranostic

“…Cancer biomarkers such as prostate-specific antigen [36], HER2 [37], CD44 [38], and folic acid [39] specifically present in the tumor microenvironment or on the cancer cells surface, can be recognized by the appropriate monoclonal antibody [40], peptide [41], or immunoglobulin [18,42] that are conjugated onto the QDs surface ( Figure 4). In some circumstances, it has been shown that QDs encapsulated in magnetic liposomes covered by Arginyl-Glycyl-Aspartic acid (RGD) ligands have been utilized for the MRI imaging of tumor angiogenesis [43].…”