Functionalized-quantum-dot-liposome hybrids as multimodal nanoparticles for cancer

Wafa' T Al-Jamal, Khuloud T Al-Jamal, Paul H Bomans, Peter M Frederik, Kostas Kostarelos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

173 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Functionalized-quantum-dot-liposome (f-QD-L) hybrid nanoparticles are engineered by encapsulating poly(ethylene glycol)-coated QD in the internal aqueous phase of different lipid bilayer vesicles. f-QD-L maintain the QD fluorescence characteristics as confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cationic f-QD-L hybrids lead to dramatic improvements in cellular binding and internalization in tumor-cell monolayer cultures. Deeper penetration into three-dimensional multicellular spheroids is obtained for f-QD-L by modifying the lipid bilayer characteristics of the hybrid system. f-QD-L are injected intratumorally into solid tumor models leading to extensive fluorescent staining of tumor cells compared to injections of the f-QD alone. f-QD-L hybrid nanoparticles constitute a versatile tool for very efficient labeling of cells ex vivo and in vivo, particularly when long-term imaging and tracking of cells is sought. Moreover, f-QD-L offer many opportunities for the development of combinatory therapeutic and imaging (theranostic) modalities by incorporating both drug molecules and QD within the different compartments of a single vesicle.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1406-1415
Number of pages10
JournalSmall
Volume4
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sep 2008

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Quantum Dots
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Particle Size
  • Mice
  • Liposomes
  • Nanoparticles
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Neoplasms
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Surface Properties

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