title: Ligand-functionalization of BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi3+,Eu3+ nanophosphors for tumor-cell-targeted imaging applications.
abstract: In this study, surface-functionalized, branched polyethylenimine (BPEI)-modified YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) nanocrystals (NCs) were successfully synthesized by a simple, rapid, solvent-free hydrothermal method. The BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) NCs with high crystallinity show broad-band excitation in the λ=250 to 400 nm near-ultraviolet (NUV) region and exhibit a sharp-line emission band centered at λ=619 nm under excitation at λ=350 nm. The surface amino groups contributed by the capping agent, BPEI, not only improve the dispersibility and water/buffer stability of the BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) NCs, but also provide a capability for specifically targeted biomolecule conjugation. Folic acid (FA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were further attached to the BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) NCs and exhibited effective positioning of fluorescent NCs toward the targeted folate receptor overexpressed in HeLa cells or EGFR overexpressed in A431 cells with low cytotoxicity. These results demonstrate that the ligand-functionalized, BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) NCs show great potential as a new-generation biological luminescent bioprobe for bioimaging applications. Moreover, the unique luminescence properties of BPEI-coated YVO4:Bi(3+),Eu(3+) NCs show potential to combine with a UVA photosensitizing drug to produce both detective and therapeutic effects for human skin cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry and Institute of Molecular Science, National Chiao Tung University, Science Building 2, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu, 300 (Taiwan), Fax: (+886) 3-5723764.
authors.forename: Yi-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sheng-Cih
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yu-Kuo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuan-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tung-Kung
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Teng-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry*; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014639:Vanadium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D008024:Ligands; D010087:Oxides; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D014639:Vanadium; D005063:Europium; D015019:Yttrium; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D005492:Folic Acid; D001729:Bismuth
keywords: biological activity; imaging agents; lanthanides; nanostructures; polymers