title: Zwitterionic red fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles for cell imaging.
abstract: Phospholipid monomer and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dye-based dimers are incorporated via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization to afford cross-linked zwitterionic fluorescent copolymers. Such copolymers are prone to self-assembly into fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles (FPNs) in physiological solution due to their amphiphilic nature. Characterization of these red FPNs by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates the successful preparation of these zwitterionic copolymers. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering are performed to demonstrate the bright red fluorescence of the FPNs and their stable dispersibilities, even below the critical micelle concentration in physiological solution. Finally, studies of the biocompatibility and cell uptake behavior of the FPNs are conducted and show excellent biocompatibility for cell imaging application.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Haiyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zengfang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
keywords: aggregation-induced emission; cell imaging; fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles; phospholipid monomers; zwitterionic