Folic acid-conjugated cationic Ag2S quantum dots for optical imaging and selective doxorubicin delivery to HeLa cells
NANOMEDICINE, vol.12, no.19, pp.2319-2333, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 12 Issue: 19
- Publication Date: 2017
- Doi Number: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0180
- Journal Name: NANOMEDICINE
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.2319-2333
- Keywords: Ag2S quantum dots, cancer therapy, doxorubicin, near-infrared imaging, targeting, DRUG-DELIVERY, HIGHLY LUMINESCENT, CYTOTOXICITY, FOLATE, CARDIOTOXICITY, NANOPARTICLES, APOPTOSIS, ASSAY, TOOL
- Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
We aim to develop folic acid ( FA)-conjugated cationic Ag2S near-infrared quantum dots (NIRQDs) for the delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) selectively to folate receptor (FR)-positive cancer cells to achieve enhanced drug efficacy and optical tracking in the NIR region. Materials & methods: Cationic Ag2S NIRQDs were decorated with FA using a PEG bridge and loaded with DOX. In vitro studies were performed on FR-positive human cervical carcinoma cells and FR-negative A549 cells. Results: Significantly higher uptake of DOX by human cervical carcinoma cells cells and a greater therapeutic effect along with a strong intracellular optical signal were obtained with DOX-loaded FA-conjugated Ag2S NIRQDs. Conclusion: These Ag2S NIRQDs are promising theranostic nanoparticles for receptor-mediated delivery of DOX with enhanced drug efficacy combined with optical imaging.