PAMAM-functionalized water soluble quantum dots for cancer cell targeting

authored by

Mehriban Akin, Rebecca Bongartz, Johanna G. Walter, Dilek Odaci Demirkol, Frank Stahl, Suna Timur, Thomas Scheper

Abstract

Herein, the phase-transfer reaction of quantum dots (QDs) with amine-terminated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with controllable ligand molar ratios was achieved. The unique properties of PAMAM allowed us to build up structurally and electrostatically stabilized water soluble QD complexes. Synthesized conjugates were characterized in terms of fluorescence and UV-Vis profiles, hydrodynamic size, number of surface dendrimer groups, and stability. Cytotoxic effects of conjugates for MCF-7, A-549 and HEP-G2 cancer cells were assessed based on cell viability using MTT assay. Cytotoxicity results were expressed as no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), 50% inhibitory concentration (IC ₅₀) and total lethal concentration (TLC) values (μM). Furthermore, HER2 receptor-mediated targeting efficiency of antibody labelled P/QDs conjugates was evaluated by successful staining of MCF-7 cells with bioconjugates. Uniquely, effective cell internalization was achieved with well-characterized antibody coupled P/QDs in contrast to antibody free P/QDs conjugates. Fluorescence microscopy images demonstrated that the designed PAMAM-derivatized QDs nanoparticles show great potential in the areas of cellular imaging and targeted therapy.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Technical Chemistry

External Organisation(s)

Ege University

Type

Article

Journal

Journal of Materials Chemistry

Volume

22

Pages

11529-11536

No. of pages

8

ISSN

0959-9428

Publication date

13.04.2012

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry, Materials Chemistry

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1039/c2jm31030a (Access: Unknown)