Synthesis, characterization and target protein binding of drug-conjugated quantum dots in vitro and in living cells

Methotrexate-conjugated quantum dots: synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity in drug resistant cancer cells

Methotrexate (MTX), a folic acid derivative, is a potent anticancer used for treatment of different malignancies, but possible initiation of drug resistance to MTX by cancer cells has limited its applications. Nanoconjugates (NCs) of MTX to quantum dots (QDs) may favour the cellular uptake via folate receptors (FRs)-mediated endocytosis that circumvents the efflux functions of cancer cells. We synthesised MTX-conjugated l-cysteine capped CdSe QDs (MTX-QD nanoconjugates) and evaluated their internalisation and cytotoxicity in the KB cells with/without resistancy to MTX. The NCs were fully characterised by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and optical spectroscopy. Upon conjugation with MTX, the photoluminescence (PL) properties of QDs altered, while an obvious quenching in PL of QDs was observed after physical mixing. The MTX-QD nanoconjugates efficiently internalised into the cancer cells, and induced markedly high cytotoxicity (IC50, 12.0 µg/mL) in the MTX-resistant KB cells as compared to the free MTX molecules (IC50,105.0 µg/mL), whereas, these values were respectively about 7.0 and 0.6 µg/mL in the MTX-sensitive KB cells. Based on these findings, the MTX-QD nanoconjugates are proposed for the targeted therapy of MTX-resistant cancers, which may provide an improved outcome in the relapsed FR-overexpressing cancers.

Dual-drug delivery by porous silicon nanoparticles for improved cellular uptake, sustained release, and combination therapy

Dual-drug delivery of antiangiogenic and chemotherapeutic drugs can enhance the therapeutic effect for cancer therapy. Conjugation of methotrexate (MTX) to porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles (MTX-PSi) with positively charged surface can improve the cellular uptake of MTX and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Herein, MTX-PSi conjugates sustained the release of MTX up to 96 h, and the released fragments including MTX were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The intracellular distribution of the MTX-PSi nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Compared to pure MTX, the MTX-PSi achieved similar inhibition of cell proliferation in folate receptor (FR) over-expressing U87 MG cancer cells, and a higher effect in low FR-expressing EA.hy926 cells. Nuclear fragmentation analysis demonstrated programmed cell apoptosis of MTX-PSi in the high/low FR-expressing cancer cells, whereas PSi alone at the same dose had a minor effect on cell apoptosis. Finally, the porous structure of MTX-PSi enabled a successful concomitant loading of another anti-angiogenic hydrophobic drug, sorafenib, and considerably enhanced the dissolution rate of sorafenib. Overall, the MTX-PSi nanoparticles can be used as a platform for combination chemotherapy by simultaneously enhancing the dissolution rate of a hydrophobic drug and sustaining the release of a conjugated chemotherapeutic drug.