Photoluminescent graphene quantum dots for in vivo imaging of apoptotic cells
Journal
Nanoscale
Journal Volume
7
Journal Issue
6
Pages
2504-2510
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Roy, P.
Prakash Periasamy, A.
Lin, C.-Y.
Her, G.-M.
Chiu, W.-J.
Li, C.-L.
Shu, C.-L.
Huang, C.-C.
Abstract
Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is linked to many incurable neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and cancer causing diseases. Numerous methods have been developed for imaging apoptotic cells in vitro; however, there are few methods available for imaging apoptotic cells in live animals (in vivo). Here we report a novel method utilizing the unique photoluminescence properties of plant leaf-derived graphene quantum dots (GQDs) modified with annexin V antibody (AbA5) to form (AbA5)-modified GQDs (AbA5-GQDs) enabling us to label apoptotic cells in live zebrafish (Danio rerio). The key is that zebrafish shows bright red photoluminescence in the presence of apoptotic cells. The toxicity of the GQDs has also been investigated with the GQDs exhibiting high biocompatibility as they were excreted from the zebrafish's body without affecting its growth significantly at a concentration lower than 2 mg mL-1 over a period of 4 to 72 hour post fertilization. The GQDs have further been used to image human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells), human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cells), and normal human mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A). These results are indispensable to further the advance of graphene-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications. ? The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Biocompatibility; Cell culture; Cell death; Graphene; Graphene quantum dots; Lanthanum compounds; Medical applications; Nanocrystals; Neurodegenerative diseases; Photoluminescence; Semiconductor quantum dots; Adenocarcinoma cells; Biomedical applications; Cervical cancer cells; Human mammary epithelial cells; Photoluminescence properties; Post-fertilization; Programmed cell deaths; Red photoluminescence; Medical imaging; biomaterial; graphite; lipocortin 5; quantum dot; animal; apoptosis; cell survival; chemistry; female; HeLa cell line; human; luminescence; male; MCF 7 cell line; nanotechnology; optics; photochemistry; plant leaf; procedures; transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet spectrophotometry; zebra fish; Animals; Annexin A5; Apoptosis; Biocompatible Materials; Cell Survival; Female; Graphite; HeLa Cells; Humans; Luminescence; Male; MCF-7 Cells; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanotechnology; Optics and Photonics; Photochemistry; Plant Leaves; Quantum Dots; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Zebrafish
Type
journal article