A facile, one-step nanocarbon functionalization for biomedical applications.
Despite their immense potential in biomedicine, carbon nanomaterials suffer from inefficient dispersion and biological activity in vivo. Here we utilize a single, yet multifunctional, hyaluronic acid-based biosurfactant to simultaneously disperse nanocarbons and target single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to CD44 receptor positive tumor cells with prompt uptake. Cellular uptake was monitored by intracellular enzyme-activated fluorescence, and localization of SWCNTs within cells was further confirmed by Raman mapping. In vivo photoacoustic, fluorescence, and positron emission tomography imaging of coated SWCNTs display high tumor targeting capability while providing long-term, fluorescence molecular imaging of targeted enzyme events. By utilizing a single biomaterial surfactant for SWCNT dispersion without additional bioconjugation, we designed a facile technique that brings nanocarbons closer to their biomedical potential.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.
Magdalena
M
Swierczewska
Ki Young
KY
Choi
Edward L
EL
Mertz
Xinglu
X
Huang
Fan
F
Zhang
Lei
L
Zhu
Hong Yeol
HY
Yoon
Jae Hyung
JH
Park
Ashwinkumar
A
Bhirde
Seulki
S
Lee
Xiaoyuan
X
Chen
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D012995:Solubility; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid