Labeling of liver cells with CdSe/ZnS quantum dot-based fluorescence probe below freezing point

Abstract

In this paper, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with particle size of 5.5 ~ 9.3 nm were synthesized, and the fluorescence emission ranged from 545 ~ 616 nm. When the volume fraction of ethanol was 30%, the water-soluble QD dispersion system remained liquid under −20 °C freezing conditions, the fluorescence intensity increased with a decrease in temperature, and the quantum yield reached 79% at −20 °C. The endothelial cell adhesion molecule CD31 antibody (anti-CD31) was used as the primary antibody, QDs were coupled with IgG as the secondary antibody (QD-Ab), and effective labeling of hepatic sinusoid endothelial cells was achieved at −20 °C. Fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis showed that the labeling efficiency was as high as 97%, indicating that QDs have an important application prospect in microscopic section tomography of the liver.