In Situ Cellular Localization of Nonfluorescent [60]Fullerene Nanomaterial in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Cellular localization of carbon nanomaterials in cancer cells is essential information for better understanding their interaction with biological targets and a crucial factor for further evaluating their biological properties as nanovehicles or nanotherapeutics. Recently, increasing efforts to develop promising fullerene nanotherapeutics for cancer nanotechnology have been made. However, the main challenge regarding studying their cellular effects is the lack of effective methods for their visualization and determining their cellular fate due to the limited fluorescence of buckyball scaffolds. Herein, we developed a method for cellular localization of nonfluorescent and water-soluble fullerene nanomaterials using the in vitro click chemistry approach. First, we synthesized a triple-bonded fullerene probe (TBC 60 ser), which was further used as a starting material for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using 3-azido-7-hydroxycoumarin and sulfo-cyanine5 azide fluorophores to create fluorescent fullerene triazoles. In this work, we characterized the structurally triple-bonded [60]fullerene derivative and confirmed its high symmetry ( T h ) and the successful formation of fullerene triazoles by spectroscopic techniques (i.e., ultraviolet–visible, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies) and mass spectrometry. The created fluorescent fullerene triazoles were successfully localized in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using fluorescent microscopy. Overall, our findings demonstrate that TBC 60 ser localizes in the lysosomes of MCF-7 cells, with only a small affinity to mitochondria.

Package delivered: folate receptor-mediated transporters in cancer therapy and diagnosis

“…Serda et al recently reported triple-bonded [60]fullerene triazoles that successfully localized in MCF-7 cells. 214 Tuning [60]fullerene via functionalization through, for instance, 1,2,3-triazole linker group tailored electronic properties and interactions with (bio)molecules. Nano onions with multi-shelled structures are a unique and fascinating class of NCs that offer a high surface area-to-volume ratio for drug loading.…”

Gold-Aptamer-Modified Metal–Organic Framework Drug Delivery Nanosystems for Combined Photothermal/Chemotherapy of Cancer

“…Currently, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers, with the highest incidence and mortality, affecting women worldwide. It severely affects the quality of life and health of women. − For a long time, chemotherapy has been the main treatment method . However, conventional chemotherapy drugs usually involve systemic toxicity, which causes a great extent of damage to the normal cells. , Therefore, the development of multifunctional nanodrug delivery system is of much interest …”

“…1−3 For a long time, chemotherapy has been the main treatment method. 4 However, conventional chemotherapy drugs usually involve systemic toxicity, which causes a great extent of damage to the normal cells. 5,6 Therefore, the development of multifunctional nanodrug delivery system is of much interest.…”