Quantum Dots for Multiplexed Molecular Profiling of Cancer Cells and Tissue Specimens

AbstractLuminescent quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as a new class of biological labels with unique properties and applications that are not available from traditional organic dyes and fluorescent proteins. Here we report new developments in using semiconductor quantum dots for quantitative imaging and spectroscopy of single cancer cells. We show that both live and fixed cells can be labeled with multicolor QDs, and that single cells can be analyzed by fluorescence imaging and wavelength-resolved spectroscopy. These results raise new possibilities in cancer imaging, molecular profiling, and disease staging.

Download Full-text

Targeted bioimaging and sensing of folate receptor-positive cancer cells using folic acid-conjugated sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots

Microchimica Acta ◽

10.1007/s00604-020-04448-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 187 (8) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sachin Kadian ◽

Gaurav Manik ◽

Neeladrisingha Das ◽

Partha Roy

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dots ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Folate Receptor ◽

Graphene Quantum Dots ◽

Doped Graphene

Download Full-text

Quantum Dots as a Good Carriers of Unsymmetrical Bisacridines for Modulating Cellular Uptake and the Biological Response in Lung and Colon Cancer Cells

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11020462 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 462 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joanna Pilch ◽

Patrycja Kowalik ◽

Piotr Bujak ◽

Anna M. Nowicka ◽

Ewa Augustin

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dots ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cellular Uptake ◽

Laser Scanning ◽

Biological Response ◽

Drug Carriers ◽

Confocal Laser ◽

Normal Cells ◽

H460 Cells ◽

Hct116 Cells

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery provides a promising area for improving the efficacy of cancer treatments. Therefore, we investigate the potential of using quantum dots (QDs) as drug carriers for antitumor unsymmetrical bisacridine derivatives (UAs) to cancer cells. We examine the influence of QD–UA hybrids on the cellular uptake, internalization (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope), and the biological response (flow cytometry and light microscopy) in lung H460 and colon HCT116 cancer cells. We show the time-dependent cellular uptake of QD–UA hybrids, which were more efficiently retained inside the cells compared to UAs alone, especially in H460 cells, which could be due to multiple endocytosis pathways. In contrast, in HCT116 cells, the hybrids were taken up only by one endocytosis mechanism. Both UAs and their hybrids induced apoptosis in H460 and HCT116 cells (to a greater extent in H460). Cells which did not die underwent senescence more efficiently following QDs–UAs treatment, compared to UAs alone. Cellular senescence was not observed in HCT116 cells following treatment with both UAs and their hybrids. Importantly, QDgreen/red themselves did not provoke toxic responses in cancer or normal cells. In conclusion, QDs are good candidates for targeted UA delivery carriers to cancer cells while protecting normal cells from toxic drug activities.

Download Full-text

Gene Expression and Transcriptome Profiling of Changes in a Cancer Cell Line Post-Exposure to Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots: Possible Implications in Oncogenesis

Dose-Response ◽

10.1177/15593258211019880 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 155932582110198

Author(s):

Mohammed S. Aldughaim ◽

Mashael R. Al-Anazi ◽

Marie Fe F. Bohol ◽

Dilek Colak ◽

Hani Alothaid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Quantum Dots ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cadmium Telluride ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cdte Qds ◽

Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots

Cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) are acquiring great interest in terms of their applications in biomedical sciences. Despite earlier sporadic studies on possible oncogenic roles and anticancer properties of CdTe-QDs, there is limited information regarding the oncogenic potential of CdTe-QDs in cancer progression. Here, we investigated the oncogenic effects of CdTe-QDs on the gene expression profiles of Chang cancer cells. Chang cancer cells were treated with 2 different doses of CdTe-QDs (10 and 25 μg/ml) at different time intervals (6, 12, and 24 h). Functional annotations helped identify the gene expression profile in terms of its biological process, canonical pathways, and gene interaction networks activated. It was found that the gene expression profiles varied in a time and dose-dependent manner. Validation of transcriptional changes of several genes through quantitative PCR showed that several genes upregulated by CdTe-QD exposure were somewhat linked with oncogenesis. CdTe-QD-triggered functional pathways that appear to associate with gene expression, cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, cell-cycle progression, signal transduction, and metabolism. Overall, CdTe-QD exposure led to changes in the gene expression profiles of the Chang cancer cells, highlighting that this nanoparticle can further drive oncogenesis and cancer progression, a finding that indicates the merit of immediate in vivo investigation.

Download Full-text