title: Synthesis of upconversion nanoparticles conjugated with graphene oxide quantum dots and their use against cancer cell imaging and photodynamic therapy.
abstract: Multifunctional nanocomposite has a huge potential for cell imaging, drug delivery, and improving therapeutic effect with less side effects. To date, diverse approaches have been demonstrated to endow a single nanostructure with multifunctionality. Herein, we report the synthesis and application of core-shell nanoparticles composed with upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) as a core and a graphene oxide quantum dot (GOQD) as a shell. The UCNP was prepared and applied for imaging-guided analyses of upconversion luminescence. GOQD was prepared and employed as promising drug delivery vehicles to improve anti-tumor therapy effect in this study. Unique properties of UCNPs and GOQDs were incorporated into a single nanostructure to provide desirable functions for cell imaging and drug delivery. In addition, hypocrellin A (HA) was loaded on GOQDs for photo-dynamic therapy (PDT). HA, a commonly used chemotherapy drug and a photo-sensitizer, was conjugated with GOQD by π-π interaction and loaded on PEGylated UCNP without complicated synthetic process, which can break structure of HA. Applying these core-shell nanoparticles to MTT assay, we demonstrated that the UCNPs with GOQD shell loaded with HA could be excellent candidates as multifunctional agents for cell imaging, drug delivery and cell therapy.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung Yoo
authors: SY
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung Hoon
authors: SH
authors: Baek
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung-Jin
authors: SJ
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yohan
authors: Y
authors: Song
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
authors: Rafia
authors: R
authors: Rafique
authors: Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kang Taek
authors: KT
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: tjpark@cau.ac.kr.
authors: Tae Jung
authors: TJ
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D058948:Cell Tracking; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006108:Graphite; D004317:Doxorubicin
keywords: Graphene oxide quantum dot; Hypocrellin A; Photodynamic therapy; Photoluminescence; Upconversion nanoparticle