title: pH-Sensitive ZnO Quantum Dots-Doxorubicin Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer Targeted Drug Delivery.
abstract: In this paper, we reported a ZnO quantum dots-based pH-responsive drug delivery platform for intracellular controlled release of drugs. Acid-decomposable, luminescent aminated ZnO quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized as nanocarriers with ultrasmall size (∼3 nm). The dicarboxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) had been introduced to NH2-ZnO QDs, which rendered it stable under physiological fluid. Moreover, a targeting ligand, hyaluronic acid (HA), was conjugated to ZnO QDs for specifically binding to the overexpressed glycoprotein CD44 by cancer cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) molecules were successfully loaded to PEG functionalized ZnO QDs via formation of metal-DOX complex and covalent interactions. The pH-sensitive ZnO QDs dissolved to Zn(2+) in acidic endosome/lysosome after uptake by cancer cells, which triggered dissociation of the metal-drug complex and a controlled DOX release. As result, a synergistic therapy was achieved due to incorporation of the antitumor effect of Zn(2+) and DOX.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University , Wuhan 430079, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University , Wuhan 430079, P.R. China.|School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University , P.O. Box 642920, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States.
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Interdisciplinary Research & Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University , Wuhan 430056, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Weiying
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University , Wuhan 430079, P.R. China.|School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University , P.O. Box 642920, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States.|Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University , P.O. Box 647090, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University , Wuhan 430079, P.R. China.|School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University , P.O. Box 642920, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States.|Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University , P.O. Box 647090, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States.
authors.forename: Yuehe
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D004317:Doxorubicin; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D045663:Quantum Dots; D015034:Zinc Oxide
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: ZnO quantum dots; controlled release; doxorubicin; hyaluronic acid; pH-responsive