One-pot synthesis of folic acid modified carbonized polymer dots with red emittision for selective imaging of cancer cells

Abstract

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs), as a novel fluorescent material, have broad application prospects in the fields of bio-imaging, bio-sensors, disease diagnosis and photovoltaic devices due to their low cost, low toxicity, easy modification and little environmental impact. In this paper, folic acid (FA) modified CPDs (FA-CPDs) are synthesized from p-Phenylenediamine (p-PD) and FA molecules using a traditional one pot hydrothermal reaction in order to detect cancer cells containing a folate receptor (FR). The synthesized FA-CPDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transfrom infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, UV–vis and fluorescence techniques. The red fluorescence emission is realized by doping phosphorus atoms into the carbonized polymer. Upon excitation at 513 nm, the maximum emission wavelength of FA-CPDs aqueous solution was obtained at 613 nm. Moreover, the as-prepared FA-CPDs exhibit excellent excitation-independent behavior and good stability with high quantum yield (QY) at about 30.6%. The binding of FA-CPDs with FRs on cancer cells produces target recognition and enters the cells through endocytosis. Additionally, it is worth noting that FA-CPDs have good biocompatibility and imaging in HeLa cells has been successfully achieved. Therefore, our FA-CPDs have potential applications as biocompatibility probes for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Zero-Dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials for Fluorescent Sensing and Imaging

“…Thus, FA-CPDs have a wide range of applications as a new generation of probes for cancer diagnosis and treatment (Figure 34e). 845 Yang et al modified red fluorescent CPDs with ginkgolide B to obtain GB-CPDs, which have the ability to penetrate the blood−brain barrier. In mice models, circulating administration of GB-CPDs was effective in reducing the size of brain infarcts and neuronal apoptosis.…”

“…FA-CPDs bind and interact with the folic acid receptors on cancer cells and then enter the cells and are imaged by endocytosis. Thus, FA-CPDs have a wide range of applications as a new generation of probes for cancer diagnosis and treatment (Figure e) …”

“…(e) Folic acid functionalized CPDs for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Reproduced from ref . Copyright 2020 IOP Publishing.…”

Fe-doped carbonized polymer dot-based fluorescent sensor with “turn-on” property for hydrazine hydrate detection

“…2(a), three characteristic peaks of CPDs at 284.8, 286.1, and 287.8 eV were observed, corresponding to C-C/CvC, C-N/C-O, and CvO, respectively. [40][41][42] The spectrum of N 1s in Fig. 2(b) shows three distinct peaks at 399.76, 400.92, and 402.16 eV, corresponding to C-N, N-(C) 3 , and N-H, 37 respectively.…”

Interaction between carbon dots from folic acid and their cellular receptor: a qualitative physicochemical approach

“…23 Their use as carriers for drug delivery, functionalizing their surface by specific biomolecules such as FA, and the mechanism of their interaction with FA-R have been addressed. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Indeed, FA-R is able to interact with its natural ligand, but also with conjugates resulting from the covalent binding of FA to various organic groups. FA attached to larger entities, such as nanovehicles including polymers, 34 liposomes, proteins 35 or NPs, is also recognized by this receptor, illustrating its wide capacity for ligand recognition.…”