Folic acid-conjugated fluorescent polymer for up-regulation folate receptor expression study via targeted imaging of tumor cells

Abstract

Thoroughly investigation of folate receptor (FR) expression related to targeting drug delivery in tumor cells has been intensively pursued in recent years. Herein, a simple and versatile strategy for determination of FR expression based on targeted imaging of tumor cells with fluorescent nano-conjugates was developed. The fluorescent nano-conjugates were composed of poly 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl azlactone (PVDMA) as the linker, folic acid as the targeting unit and amino-Rhodamine B as the fluorescent ligand. Owing to possessing dimethyl azlactone groups in polymer framework, PVDMA could easily reacted with amines or alcohols, and form water soluble materials. Fluorescent imaging studies indicated that the prepared nano-conjugates could specifically target tumor cells and monitor the over expressing of FR. Moreover, the FR expression up-regulation in HeLa cells through medicines regulation has been further explored. This new protocol opens an effective way through synthesis and design of novel fluorescent nano-conjugates for FR expression investigation in tumor cells via targeted imaging, showing great potential in drug delivery mechanism study and cancer therapy.