Journal article
Cytotoxicity of Quantum Dots Used for In Vitro Cellular Labeling: Role of QD Surface Ligand, Delivery Modality, Cell Type, and Direct Comparison to Organic Fluorophores
Bioconjugate chemistry, v 24(9), pp 1570-1583
01 Sep 2013
PMID: 23879393
Abstract
Interest in taking advantage of the unique spectral properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) has driven their widespread use in biological applications such as in vitro cellular labeling/imaging and, sensing. Despite their demonstrated utility, concerns over the potential toxic effects of QD core materials on cellular proliferation and homeostasis have persisted, leaving in question the suitability of QDs as alternatives for more traditional fluorescent materials (e.g., organic dyes, fluorescent proteins) for in vitro cellular applications. Surprisingly, direct comparative studies examining the cytotoxic potential of QDs versus these more traditional cellular labeling fluorophores remain limited. Here, using CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) QDs as a prototypical assay material, we present a comprehensive study in which we characterize the influence of QD dose (concentration and incubation time), QD surface capping ligand, and delivery modality (peptide or cationic amphiphile transfection reagent) on cellular viability in three human cell lines representing various morphological lineages (epithelial, endothelial, monocytic). We further compare the effects of QD cellular labeling on cellular proliferation relative to those associated with a panel of traditionally employed organic cell labeling fluorophores that span a broad spectral range. Our results demonstrate the important role played by QD dose, capping ligand structure, and delivery agent in modulating cellular toxicity. Further, the results show that at the concentrations and time regimes required for robust QD-based cellular labeling, the impact of our in-house synthesized QD materials on cellular proliferation is comparable to that of six commercial cell labeling fluorophores. Cumulatively, our results demonstrate that the proper tuning of QD dose, surface ligand, and delivery modality can provide robust in vitro cell labeling reagents that exhibit minimal impact on cellular viability.
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Details
- Title
- Cytotoxicity of Quantum Dots Used for In Vitro Cellular Labeling: Role of QD Surface Ligand, Delivery Modality, Cell Type, and Direct Comparison to Organic Fluorophores
- Creators
- Christopher E. Bradburne - United States Naval Research LaboratoryJames B. Delehanty - BIO (Canada)Kelly Boeneman Gemmill - BIO (Canada)Bing C. Mei - US Naval Res Lab, Div Opt Sci, Washington, DC 20375 USAHedi Mattoussi - US Naval Res Lab, Div Opt Sci, Washington, DC 20375 USAKimihiro Susumu - Sotera Defense Solutions (United States)Juan B. Blanco-Canosa - Scripps Research InstitutePhilip E. Dawson - Scripps Research InstituteIgor L. Medintz - BIO (Canada)Christopher B Rodell - School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-)
- Publication Details
- Bioconjugate chemistry, v 24(9), pp 1570-1583
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society; Washington, DC
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- National Research Council (NRC) Associateship
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000330097800016
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84884390348
- Other Identifier
- 991019320713604721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biochemical Research Methods
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
- Chemistry, Organic