title: Angiogenic Profiling of Synthesized Carbon Quantum Dots.
abstract: A simple method was employed for the synthesis of green luminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from styrene soot. The CQDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared carbon quantum dots did not show cellular toxicity and could successfully be used for labeling cells. We also evaluated the effects of carbon quantum dots on the process of angiogenesis. Results of a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay revealed the significant decrease in the density of branched vessels after their treatment with CQDs. Further application of CQDs significantly downregulated the expression levels of pro-angiogenic growth factors like VEGF and FGF. Expression of VEGFR2 and levels of hemoglobin were also significantly lower in CAMs treated with CQDs, indicating that the CQDs inhibit angiogenesis. Data presented here also show that CQDs can selectively target cancer cells and therefore hold potential in the field of cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) , New Delhi 110001, India.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shereema
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala , Kasargod 671314, India.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Sruthi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala , Kasargod 671314, India.
authors.forename: V B Sameer
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) , New Delhi 110001, India.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: S Sharath
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shankar
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D002244:Carbon; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2