title: Folate receptor-targeted quantum dot liposomes as fluorescence probes.
abstract: In this study, the preparation of the novel imaging agents, folate receptor (FR)-targeted liposomes encapsulating hydrophilic CdTe quantum dots (QDs), and their use as luminescence probes for live cell imaging are reported. Hydrophilic CdTe QDs were directly synthesized in the water phase, and FR-targeted QD liposomes were prepared by hydrating the lipid thin film with CdTe suspension. Formulations were characterized by UV-visible and fluorescent measurements, liposomal particle size, and zeta potential. The targeting and imaging ability of FR-targeted liposomes were investigated against the human uterine cervix cancer cell line (HeLa). Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of QD liposomes was evaluated by HeLa cells incubated with FR-targeted QD liposomes, nontargeted QD liposomes, and free QDs. The results showed that FR-targeted QD liposomes were spherically shaped with high fluorescence yield, excellent photochemical stability, good cancer targeting, and minimal cytotoxicity. The average size of FR-targeted fluorescence liposomes was ~105 nm, and their size distribution was rather narrow. After storage at 4 degrees C for 11 months, QD liposomes maintained similar size and did not show any leakage of QDs. FR-targeted CdTe QD liposomes, which can target tumor cells via FR-mediated endocytosis, would become an attractive probe for tumor cell or tissue imaging for a long-time monitoring.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Yibing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiaolan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chaoyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Guangya
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D008081:Liposomes; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride