title: Synthesis, characterization and applications of carboxylated and polyethylene-glycolated bifunctionalized InP/ZnS quantum dots in cellular internalization mediated by cell-penetrating peptides.
abstract: Semiconductor nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots (QDs), are widely used in biomedical imaging studies and pharmaceutical research. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of small peptides that are able to traverse cell membrane and deliver a variety of cargoes into living cells. CPPs deliver QDs into cells with minimal nonspecific absorption and toxic effect. In this study, water-soluble, monodisperse, carboxyl-functionalized indium phosphide (InP)/zinc sulfide (ZnS) QDs coated with polyethylene glycol lipids (designated QInP) were synthesized for the first time. The physicochemical properties (optical absorption, fluorescence and charging state) and cellular internalization of QInP and CPP/QInP complexes were characterized. CPPs noncovalently interact with QInP in vitro to form stable CPP/QInP complexes, which can then efficiently deliver QInP into human A549 cells. The introduction of 500nM of CPP/QInP complexes and QInP at concentrations of less than 1μM did not reduce cell viability. These results indicate that carboxylated and polyethylene-glycolylated (PEGylated) bifunctionalized QInP are biocompatible nanoparticles with potential for use in biomedical imaging studies and drug delivery applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Betty R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 327 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Winiarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 327 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA.
authors.forename: Jong-Sik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Road, Hualien 97004, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Yen
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 105 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA. Electronic address: huangy@mst.edu.
authors.forename: Yue-Wern
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 105 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Aronstam
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan. Electronic address: hjlee@mail.ndhu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Han-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007204:Indium / Q000737:chemistry; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D010720:Phosphines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013440:Sulfides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D010720:Phosphines; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D007204:Indium; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C031238:zinc sulfide; C090882:indium phosphide
keywords: Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs); Functionalization; Nanoparticles; Polyethylene-glycolylated (PEGylated); Quantum dots (QDs)