title: Folic acid-functionalized up-conversion nanoparticles: toxicity studies in vivo and in vitro and targeted imaging applications.
abstract: Folate receptors (FRs) are overexpressed on a variety of human cancer cells and tissues, including cancers of the breast, ovaries, endometrium, and brain. This over-expression of FRs can be used to target folate-linked imaging specifically to FR-expressing tumors. Fluorescence is emerging as a powerful new modality for molecular imaging in both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Combining innovative molecular biology and chemistry, we prepared three kinds of folate-targeted up-conversion nanoparticles as imaging agents (UCNC-FA: UCNC-Er-FA, UCNC-Tm-FA, and UCNC-Er,Tm-FA). In vivo and in vitro toxicity studies showed that these nanoparticles have both good biocompatibility and low toxicity. Moreover, the up-conversion luminescence imaging indicated that they have good targeting to HeLa cells and can therefore serve as potential fluorescent contrast agents.
authors: Research Center of Nano Science and Technology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China. lnsun@shu.edu.cn shiliyi@shu.edu.cn.
authors: Lining
authors: L
authors: Sun
authors: Zuwu
authors: Z
authors: Wei
authors: Haige
authors: H
authors: Chen
authors: Jinliang
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Jianjian
authors: J
authors: Guo
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Cao
authors: Tieqiao
authors: T
authors: Wen
authors: Liyi
authors: L
authors: Shi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003287:Contrast Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005492:Folic Acid