Synthesis of ternary CuInS(2)/ZnS quantum dot bioconjugates and their applications for targeted cancer bioimaging.
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.
Yong
Ken-Tye
KT
Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics (ILPB), University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260-4200, USA. kyong2@buffalo.edu pnprasad@buffalo.edu
Roy
Indrajit
I
Hu
Rui
R
Ding
Hong
H
Cai
Hongxing
H
Zhu
Jing
J
Zhang
Xihe
X
Bergey
Earl J
EJ
Prasad
Paras N
PN
D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007204:Indium / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012643:Selenium / Q000737:chemistry*; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D018036:Selenium Compounds; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C101793:copper indium diselenide; D007204:Indium; D003300:Copper; D012643:Selenium; C044696:zinc selenide