Publication

Abstract : The study aims at the targeted imaging using CdTe/ZnTe core shell QDs and delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded fibrinogen coated yellow-QDs (PTX-fib-yellow-QDs) towards breast cancer cells via the α5 β1 -integrins. We developed fibrinogen coated different sized CdTe/ZnTe core shell quantum dots of 2-10 nm size, which have been prepared by one-pot aqueous-phase approach. The fib-coated-QDs (fib-coated-QDs) and PTX-fib-yellow-QDs were prepared by twostep coacervation technique using CaCl2 as cross-linker. Particle size of fib-coated-QDs was in between 60-220 nm while PTX-fib-yellow-QDs showed 180 ± 40 nm. The MTT assay confirmed cytocompatibility of fib-coated-QDs on L929 and MCF-7 than bare QDs, whereas significant toxicity toward MCF-7 by PTX-fib-yellow-QDs was observed. The hemocompatible fib-coated-QDs showed enhanced localization and retention toward α5 β1 -integrins +ve MCF-7 compared to α5 β1 -integrins -ve L929 cells. The specific binding of fib-coated-yellow-QDs was further confirmed with α5 β1 -integrins +ve HeLa and α5 β1 -integrins -ve HT29 cells. Cellular uptake studies revealed localization of PTX-fib-coated-yellow-QDs inside MCF-7 cells compared to the normal L929 cells. These results indicated that fib-coated-QDs could be used for targeted imaging and as a suitable nanocarrier aiming breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.