Functionalized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles for sensitively targeted of folate-receptor-positive cancer cells

摘要

The folic acid-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots (FA-CDs) were synthesized via the assembly of FA to the surface of CDs. A facile hydrothermal method with praline and ethylenediamine as precursors was used to fabricate CDs. The as-prepared CDs possessed active amino groups where the CDs could be further engineered for the conjugation with FA. The uptake of the as-synthesized FA-CDs by FR positive MCF-7 cells (FR + +) and HepG-2 cells (FR +) via receptor-mediated endocytosis was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy, which is further verified by a comparative study with FR-negative PC-12 cells (FR-). The bright fluorescence could be observed in FR positive MCF-7 cells while negligible fluorescence was observed in PC-12 cells with low-expressed FR, demonstrating that FA-CDs could accurately identify FR-positive cancer cells from normal cells. The FA-CDs shared favorable biocompatibility, excellent optical properties and ultra-low toxicity etc. Holding these superior properties, the FA-CDs was implemented as a highly effective platform for biological labeling and imaging, which may provide an innovative vision for cancer diagnosis and succeeding personalized therapy.