Rapid fabrication of carbon quantum dots as multifunctional nanovehicles for dual-modal targeted imaging and chemotherapy.
Herein, we synthesized an S, N, and Gd tri-element doped magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots (GdNS@CQDs) within 10min by using a one-pot microwave method. Our results showed that these magnetofluorescent GdNS@CQDs have excellent fluorescent and magnetic properties. Moreover, GdNS@CQDs exhibited high stability at physiological conditions and ionic strength. These magnetofluorescent GdNS@CQDs were conjugated with a folic acid, denoted as FA-GdNS@CQDs, for targeting dual modal fluorescence/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the high biocompatibility and low toxicity of FA-GdNS@CQDs. FA-GdNS@CQDs enhanced the MR response as compared to that for commercial Gd-DTPA. The targeting capabilities of FA-GdNS@CQDs were confirmed in HeLa and HepG2 cells using in vitro fluorescence and MR dual modality imaging. Additionally, an anticancer drug, doxorubicin, was incorporated into the FA-GdNS@CQDs forming FA-GdNS@CQDs-DOX, which enables targeted drug delivery. Importantly, the prepared FA-GdNS@CQDs-DOX showed a high quantity of doxorubicin loading capacity (about 80%) and pH-sensitive drug release. The uptake into cancer cells and the intracellular location of the FA-GdNS@CQDs were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. We also successfully demonstrated in vivo fluorescence bio imaging of the FA-GdNS@CQDs, using zebrafish as an animal model.



In this manuscript, we reported a facial, rapid, and environmental friendly method to fabricate hetero atoms including gadolinium, nitrogen, and sulfur doped multi-functional magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots (GdNS@CQDs) nanocomposite. These multifunctional GdNS@CQDs were conjugated with a folic acid for targeting dual modal fluorescence/magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, an anticancer drug, doxorubicin, was incorporated into the nanocomposite forming FA-GdNS@CQDs-DOX, which enables targeted drug delivery. We have developed GdNS@CQDs with integrated functions for simultaneous in vitro cell imaging, targeting, and pH-sensitive controlled drug release in HeLa cells. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrated the use of this material for in vivo fluorescence imaging, using zebrafish as an animal model.
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Section 4, Keelung Road, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Sheng-Hui
SH
Chiu
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Section 4, Keelung Road, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Gangaraju
G
Gedda
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Section 4, Keelung Road, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Wubshet Mekonnen
WM
Girma
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Jem-Kun
JK
Chen
Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Yong-Chien
YC
Ling
Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004, India. Electronic address: anighule@gmail.com.
Anil V
AV
Ghule
School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; 3D Global Biotechnology Inc., New Taipei City 221, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan. Electronic address: klou@tmu.edu.tw.
Keng-Liang
KL
Ou
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Section 4, Keelung Road, Taipei 10607, Taiwan. Electronic address: jychang@mail.ntust.edu.tw.
Jia-Yaw
JY
Chang
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005453:Fluorescence; D005492:Folic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D015027:Zebrafish
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D002244:Carbon; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005492:Folic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium
Bio-imaging; Carbon quantum dots; Drug delivery; Magnetofluorescent; Zebrafish