Preparation and folic acid conjugation of fluorescent polymernanoparticles for cancer cell targeting

Abstract

Fluorescent polymer nanoparticles have been prepared by emulsion polymerization with a polymerisable anthrapyridone dye. This connects covalently to the polymer chains, preventing dye leakage. Amino groups were introduced into the nanoparticles by grafting with PEI (polyethyleneimine), following which folic acid was attached to the amino groups to permit targeting of certain cancer cell lines which express high levels of folate receptor.