Preparation and cellular uptake of pH-dependent fluorescent single-wall carbon nanotubes.
Fluorescent single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared by mixing cut SWCNTs with acridine orange (AO). The optical absorbance and fluorescence characteristics of AO-SWCNT conjugates display interesting pH-dependent properties. Fluorescence microscopy in combination with transmission electron microscopy proves that AO-SWCNTs can enter HeLa cells and are located inside lysosomes. The endocytosis-inhibiting tests show that the clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a key step in the internalization process. The internalized AO-SWCNTs remain inside lysosomes for more than a week and have little effect on cell proliferation. These findings may be useful in understanding the SWCNT-based intracellular drug delivery mechanism and help to develop new intracellular drug transporters.
Zhang
Xiaoke
X
School of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Meng
Lingjie
L
Wang
Xuefeng
X
Lu
Qinghua
Q
D000165:Acridine Orange; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004705:Endocytosis; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D000165:Acridine Orange