Issue 31, 2022

Folic acid-functionalized l-cys/ZnS:O nanoparticles for homologous targeting and photodynamic therapy of tumor cells

Abstract

The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence imaging provides a promising approach to theranostics. However, traditional photosensitizers (PSs) have low water solubility and lack active targeting ability. Our ingenious design used L-cys/ZnS:O (LZS) nanoparticles (NPs) modified with folic acid (FA), allowing them to easily enter tumor cells and accurately gather around the nucleus of cancer cells. L-Cysteine were used as intermediates, ZnS:O quantum dots and FA could be connected by a solid-state method and a coupling reaction. In doing so, the cytotoxicity of LZS NPs was further reduced, while the hydrophilicity and dispersibility were improved. Moreover, the as-synthesized FA@LZS NPs had a higher generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than commercial Ce6, and they killed HepG2 cells specifically in vitro. These findings give a clear way for the development of advanced PSs with homologous labeling functions. A template for NPs or other fluorophores modified by targeting groups is also provided.

Graphical abstract: Folic acid-functionalized l-cys/ZnS:O nanoparticles for homologous targeting and photodynamic therapy of tumor cells

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Apr 2022
Accepted
13 Jul 2022
First published
13 Jul 2022

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022,10, 6001-6008

Folic acid-functionalized L-cys/ZnS:O nanoparticles for homologous targeting and photodynamic therapy of tumor cells

X. Wang, W. Wei, D. Zheng, Z. Chen and H. Dai, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 6001 DOI: 10.1039/D2TB00719C

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