Abstract
BackgroundFluorescent carbon dots (Cdots) have attracted increasing attention due to their potential applications in sensing, catalysis, and biomedicine. Currently, intensive research has been concentrated on the synthesis and imaging-guided therapy of these benign photoluminescent materials. Meanwhile, Cdots have been explored as nonviral vector for nucleic acid or drug delivery by chemical modification on purpose.ResultsWe have developed a microwave assisted one-step synthesis of Cdots with citric acid as carbon source and tryptophan (Trp) as both nitrogen source and passivation agent. The Cdots with uniform size show superior water solubility, excellent biocompatibility, and high quantum yield. Afterwards, the PEI (polyethylenimine)-adsorbed Cdots nanoparticles (Cdots@PEI) were applied to deliver Survivin siRNA into human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803. The results have confirmed the nanocarrier exhibited excellent biocompatibility and a significant increase in cellular delivery of siRNA, inducing efficient knockdown for Survivin protein to 6.1%. In addition, PEI@Cdots complexes mediated Survivin silencing, the arrested cell cycle progression in G1 phase as well as cell apoptosis was observed.ConclusionThe Cdots-based and PEI-adsorbed complexes both as imaging agents and siRNA nanocarriers have been developed for Survivin siRNA delivery. And the results indicate that Cdots-based nanocarriers could be utilized in a broad range of siRNA delivery systems for cancer therapy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-014-0058-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Over recent decades, great advances have been made in the combination of nanotechnology and medicine, which is paving the way towards the goal of clinic application [1,2]
In summary, the carbon dots (Cdots)-based and PEI-adsorbed complexes both as imaging agent and siRNA nanocarrier have been developed for Survivin siRNA delivery
The Cdots were prepared via one-step microwave assisted approach with citric acid as carbon source and tryptophan as passivation agent and nitrogen source
Summary
Great advances have been made in the combination of nanotechnology and medicine, which is paving the way towards the goal of clinic application [1,2]. Carbon dots (Cdots) are currently emerging as a class of promising fluorescent probe on account of their low photobleaching, no optical blinking, tunable photoluminescence, versatile surfaces, and excellent biocompatibility [6,7]. Our group has developed a green synthetic route for Cdots with high quantum yield around 24.2% using Ribonuclease A (RNase A) as an assisting and passivating reagent via microwave assisted one step procedure [18]. Taking into account the mechanism of the photoluminescence (PL) enhancement in RNase A@Cdots, electron-donating effect from neighbor amino acids especially those with benzene rings could play an important role. We have ever developed a new theranostic platform based on photosensitizer-conjugated Cdots with excellent imaging and tumor homing ability for NIR fluorescence imaging guided photodynamic therapy [19]. Cdots have been explored as nonviral vector for nucleic acid or drug delivery by chemical modification on purpose
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
