1
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Chen J, Li F, Zhao B, Gu J, Brejcha NM, Bartoli M, Zhang W, Zhou Y, Fu S, Domena JB, Zafar A, Zhang F, Tagliaferro A, Verde F, Zhang F, Zhang Y, Leblanc RM. Gene Transfection Efficiency Improvement with Lipid Conjugated Cationic Carbon Dots. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:27087-27101. [PMID: 38752799 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
An ideal vehicle with a high transfection efficiency is crucial for gene delivery. In this study, a type of cationic carbon dot (CCD) known as APCDs were first prepared with arginine (Arg) and pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) as precursors and conjugated with oleic acid (OA) for gene delivery. By tuning the mass ratio of APCDs to OA, APCDs-OA conjugates, namely, APCDs-0.5OA, APCDs-1.0OA, and APCDs-1.5OA were synthesized. All three amphiphilic APCDs-OA conjugates show high affinity to DNA through electrostatic interactions. APCDs-0.5OA exhibit strong binding with small interfering RNA (siRNA). After being internalized by Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK 293) and osteosarcoma (U2OS) cells, they could distribute in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. With APCDs-OA conjugates as gene delivery vehicles, plasmid DNA (pDNA) that encodes the gene for the green fluorescence protein (GFP) can be successfully delivered in both HEK 293 and U2OS cells. The GFP expression levels mediated by APCDs-0.5OA and APCDs-1.0OA are ten times greater than that of PEI in HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, APCDs-0.5OA show prominent siRNA transfection efficiency, which is proven by the significantly downregulated expression of FANCA and FANCD2 proteins upon delivery of FANCA siRNA and FANCD2 siRNA into U2OS cells. In conclusion, our work demonstrates that conjugation of CCDs with a lipid structure such as OA significantly improves the gene transfection efficiency, providing a new idea about the designation of nonviral carriers in gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuyan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Bowen Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Nicholas Michael Brejcha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Mattia Bartoli
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Torino 10129, Italy
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Yiqun Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Shiwei Fu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Justin B Domena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Alyan Zafar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Fuwu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Alberto Tagliaferro
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Torino 10129, Italy
| | - Fulvia Verde
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Fangliang Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Yanbin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Roger M Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
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2
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Cheng Y, Yu G. Application and Research Status of Long-Wavelength Fluorescent Carbon Dots. Molecules 2023; 28:7473. [PMID: 38005195 PMCID: PMC10673420 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This article discusses the application and research status of long-wavelength fluorescent carbon dots. Currently, there are two main methods for synthesising carbon dots (CDs), either from top to bottom, according to the bulk material, or from bottom to top, according to the small molecules. In previous research, mainly graphite and carbon fibres were used as raw materials with which to prepare CDs, using methods such as arc discharge, laser corrosion, and electrochemistry. These preparation methods have low quantum efficiencies and afford CDs that are limited to blue short-wavelength light emissions. With advancing research, the raw materials used for CD preparation have expanded from graphite to biomaterials, such as strawberry, lime juice, and silkworm chrysalis, and carbon-based molecules, such as citric acid, urea, and ethylenediamine (EDA). The preparation of CDs using carbon-based materials is more rapid and convenient because it involves the use of microwaves, ultrasonication, and hydrothermal techniques. Research on developing methods through which to prepare CDs has made great progress. The current research in this regard is focused on the synthesis of CDs, including long-wavelength fluorescent CDs, with a broader range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guang Yu
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Institute, Zhongshan Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Zhongshan 528400, China;
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3
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Kaurav H, Verma D, Bansal A, Kapoor DN, Sheth S. Progress in drug delivery and diagnostic applications of carbon dots: a systematic review. Front Chem 2023; 11:1227843. [PMID: 37521012 PMCID: PMC10375716 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1227843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs), which have particle size of less than 10 nm, are carbon-based nanomaterials that are used in a wide range of applications in the area of novel drug delivery in cancer, ocular diseases, infectious diseases, and brain disorders. CDs are biocompatible, eco-friendly, easy to synthesize, and less toxic with excellent chemical inertness, which makes them very good nanocarrier system to deliver multi-functional drugs effectively. A huge number of researchers worldwide are working on CDs-based drug delivery systems to evaluate their versatility and efficacy in the field of pharmaceuticals. As a result, there is a tremendous increase in our understanding of the physicochemical properties, diagnostic and drug delivery aspects of CDs, which consequently has led us to design and develop CDs-based theranostic system for the treatment of multiple disorders. In this review, we aim to summarize the advances in application of CDs as nanocarrier including gene delivery, vaccine delivery and antiviral delivery, that has been carried out in the last 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemlata Kaurav
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Dhriti Verma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Bansal
- Formulation Research and Development, Perrigo Company Plc, Allegan, MI, United States
| | - Deepak N. Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sandeep Sheth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, Miami, FL, United States
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4
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Chen P, He X, Hu Y, Tian XL, Yu XQ, Zhang J. Spleen-Targeted mRNA Delivery by Amphiphilic Carbon Dots for Tumor Immunotherapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:19937-19950. [PMID: 37052212 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the application of mRNA vaccine-based tumor immunotherapy invigorated anti-tumor therapy. However, the low efficiency of mRNA delivery and the lack of targeting ability in vivo are the major obstacles to achieving highly efficient immunotherapy. In this work, we report a chemical library of amphiphilic carbon dots (ACDs) and the synthesized ACDs were applied to mRNA delivery, bio-imaging, and tumor immunotherapy. The ACDs can smoothly bind with mRNA to form ACDs@mRNA nanocomplexes, and the fluorescent properties of the ACDs afforded the nanoparticles with bio-imaging ability. By screening of the ACDs, O12-Tta-CDs were found to have optimal mRNA transfection efficiency and the ability of spleen-targeted delivery. In addition, O12-Tta-CDs can well transfect the immune cells and promote the maturation and antigen presentation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Furthermore, O12-Tta-CDs@OVA-mRNA was successfully applied to inhibit tumor growth, and more specific T-cell infiltration was observed in spleen and tumors of mice after treatment in the E.G7-OVA tumor model. Besides, O12-Tta-CDs@OVA-mRNA also achieved a good therapeutic effect in tumor recurrence inhibition and tumor prophylactic experiments. This study provided a new direction for the design of mRNA vectors, which is promising in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
| | - Xi He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yue Hu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
- Asymmetric Synthesis and Chiral Technology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Chemistry, Xihua University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610039, P. R. China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
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Yu G, Cheng Y, Duan Z. Detection of Cobalamin and In Vitro Cell Imaging Based on Nitrogen-Doped Yellow Fluorescent Carbon Dots with Nano Architectonics. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:9057. [PMID: 36556863 PMCID: PMC9785990 DOI: 10.3390/ma15249057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As novel fluorescent nanomaterials, carbon dots have attracted increasing research attention because of their simple synthesis, robust fluorescence, low toxicity, and easy functionalisation. Previous research was focused on preparing carbon dots from biomass and chemical materials; however, most of these carbon dots exhibited blue fluorescence. Moreover, the fluorescence quantum yield was generally low, significantly limiting their application in biological imaging. To broaden the application scope of carbon dots, this study prepared long-wavelength emitting nano-carbon dots that exhibited increased quantum yield. Novel N-doped yellow fluorescent nano-carbon dots (Y-CDs) were synthesised via a hydrothermal method using L-tartaric acid and urea as the precursors. The Y-CDs had a high quantum yield (15.9%) and demonstrated photostability at various pHs, temperatures, and ionic strengths. The Y-CDs could detect cobalamin effectively and selectively, showing a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and cobalamin concentration. The related coefficient was 0.997, and the detection limit was 2.101 μmol/L. In addition, the Y-CDs were successfully used as an imaging probe for MDA-MB-231 cells. Therefore, the Y-CDs developed in this study can be used for cobalamin detection and cell imaging.
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6
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Modulation of the binding ability to biomacromolecule, cytotoxicity and cellular imaging property for ionic liquid mediated carbon dots. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 216:112552. [PMID: 35580459 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
For the preparation of carbon dots (CDs), a variety of carbon sources and synthetic protocols are available which endow CDs with variable and unpredictable properties. In the present study, three CDs were developed with ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide as the precursor through ethanol-thermal and hydrothermal strategies, termed as E-CDs and H-CDs, respectively. The features of these carbon dots, i.e., their physicochemical and optical properties, their interactions with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as well as their imaging capability were investigated with respect to the CDs prepared with microwave assisted approach (W-CDs). E-CDs and H-CDs were demonstrated to exhibit similar framework structures and optical properties, and they exhibited larger particle-sizes than that of W-CDs. In addition, the increase of ethanol-thermal and hydrothermal reaction time strengthened the quantum yields of the CDs and promoted their binding capability with BSA. E-CDs and H-CDs showed similar cytotoxicity on normal (LX-2) and cancer (SK-Hep-1) cells. We further found that these CDs may readily enter the cells within 5 min, while the fluorescence of hydrophilic E-CDs and H-CDs was very weak with respect to that of hydrophobic W-CDs in cell imaging. On the other hand, all the CDs exhibited little impact on the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The present study is conducive to guide the preparation of suitable carbon dots for different application scenarios.
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Wu J, Chen G, Jia Y, Ji C, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Leblanc RM, Peng Z. Carbon dot composites for bioapplications: a review. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:843-869. [DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02446a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in the synthesis of carbon dot composites and their applications in biomedical fields (bioimaging, drug delivery and biosensing) have been carefully summarized. The current challenges and future trends of CD composites in this field have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Gonglin Chen
- School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinnong Jia
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyu Ji
- School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqun Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA
| | - Roger M. Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA
| | - Zhili Peng
- School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
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8
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Chen P, He X, Tian XL, Zhang J, Yu XQ. One-step fabrication of functional carbon dots with long wavelength emission for gene delivery and bio-imaging. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:8518-8529. [PMID: 34568886 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01622a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
As a new-type of fluorescent material, carbon dots (CDs) are promising nanoscale reagents with the potential to integrate the functions of bio-imaging and gene/drug delivery. Most of the reported CDs for nucleic acid delivery only emitted short-wavelength (blue and green) fluorescence, making them unsuitable for in vivo application. Herein, a one-step solvothermal method was applied to prepare CDs with long wavelength emission from low molecular weight PEI and rhodamine dyes for both bio-imaging and gene delivery. The structure of the CDs was confirmed by several analytical methods including 1H NMR, FT-IR, TEM, and XPS. The results showed that the CDs possess excellent fluorescence properties, which enable their application in both in vitro and in vivo bio-imaging. Meanwhile, the CDs could also be used for the intracellular tracking of the gene delivery process. In vitro transfection results revealed that the CDs possessed high transfection efficiency, which was up to 162 times higher than that of the "golden standard" transfection reagent PEI 25 kDa. Besides, these CDs also exhibited better serum tolerance and lower cytotoxicity than PEI. A mechanistic study suggested that the CD/DNA complexes may release the nucleic acid cargo more effectively. This work provides a new method to prepare multi-functional CDs with non-viral gene delivery and long wavelength bio-imaging abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xi He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
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Qin J, Gao X, Chen Q, Liu H, Liu S, Hou J, Sun T. pH sensing and bioimaging using green synthesized carbon dots from black fungus. RSC Adv 2021; 11:31791-31794. [PMID: 35496837 PMCID: PMC9041562 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra05199g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomass is regarded as an excellent candidate for the preparation of carbon nanomaterials. A pH sensor was established based on carbon dots synthesized from black fungus, and possesses good fluorescence response and reversibility for pH detection. Meanwhile, the CDs can also be applied to intra-cellular bioimaging, showing potential for bioimaging. Carbon dots derived from black fungus were prepared and applied as a pH sensor for real water samples.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qin
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Qinqin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Shuqi Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Juan Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
| | - Tiedong Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University 26 Hexing Road Harbin 150040 PR China
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Wang B, Song H, Qu X, Chang J, Yang B, Lu S. Carbon dots as a new class of nanomedicines: Opportunities and challenges. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Shan F, Xia H, Xie X, Fu L, Yang H, Zhou Q, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Yu X. Novel N-doped carbon dots prepared via citric acid and benzoylurea by green synthesis for high selectivity Fe(III) sensing and imaging in living cells. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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12
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Carbon Dot Nanoparticles: Exploring the Potential Use for Gene Delivery in Ophthalmic Diseases. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11040935. [PMID: 33917548 PMCID: PMC8067473 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Ocular gene therapy offers significant potential for preventing retinal dystrophy in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD). Adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene transfer is the most common and successful gene delivery approach to the eye. These days, many studies are using non-viral nanoparticles (NPs) as an alternative therapeutic option because of their unique properties and biocompatibility. Here, we discuss the potential of carbon dots (CDs), a new type of nanocarrier for gene delivery to the retinal cells. The unique physicochemical properties of CDs (such as optical, electronic, and catalytic) make them suitable for biosensing, imaging, drug, and gene delivery applications. Efficient gene delivery to the retinal cells using CDs depends on various factors, such as photoluminescence, quantum yield, biocompatibility, size, and shape. In this review, we focused on different approaches used to synthesize CDs, classify CDs, various pathways for the intake of gene-loaded carbon nanoparticles inside the cell, and multiple studies that worked on transferring nucleic acid in the eye using CDs.
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Sousa HBA, Martins CSM, Prior JAV. You Don't Learn That in School: An Updated Practical Guide to Carbon Quantum Dots. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:611. [PMID: 33804394 PMCID: PMC7998311 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have started to emerge as candidates for application in cell imaging, biosensing, and targeted drug delivery, amongst other research fields, due to their unique properties. Those applications are possible as the CQDs exhibit tunable fluorescence, biocompatibility, and a versatile surface. This review aims to summarize the recent development in the field of CQDs research, namely the latest synthesis progress concerning materials/methods, surface modifications, characterization methods, and purification techniques. Furthermore, this work will systematically explore the several applications CQDs have been subjected to, such as bioimaging, fluorescence sensing, and cancer/gene therapy. Finally, we will briefly discuss in the concluding section the present and future challenges, as well as future perspectives and views regarding the emerging paradigm that is the CQDs research field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João A. V. Prior
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (H.B.A.S.); (C.S.M.M.)
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