Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities

Shousi Lu,1,2 Shanshan Guo,1 Pingxiang Xu,1 Xiaorong Li,1 Yuming Zhao,1 Wei Gu,3 Ming Xue1 1Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Laboratory for Biomedical Detection Technology and Instrument, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 2China Rehabilitation Research Center, 3Depart...

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Main Authors: Lu SS, Guo SS, Xu PX, Li XR, Zhao YM, Gu W, Xue M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2016-11-01
Series:International Journal of Nanomedicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/hydrothermal-synthesis-of-nitrogen-doped-carbon-dots-with-real-time-li-peer-reviewed-article-IJN
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author Lu SS
Guo SS
Xu PX
Li XR
Zhao YM
Gu W
Xue M
author_facet Lu SS
Guo SS
Xu PX
Li XR
Zhao YM
Gu W
Xue M
author_sort Lu SS
collection DOAJ
description Shousi Lu,1,2 Shanshan Guo,1 Pingxiang Xu,1 Xiaorong Li,1 Yuming Zhao,1 Wei Gu,3 Ming Xue1 1Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Laboratory for Biomedical Detection Technology and Instrument, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 2China Rehabilitation Research Center, 3Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal treatment with citric acid in the presence of polyethylenimine. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the N-CDs were monodispersed and quasi-spherical with an average size of ~2.6 nm. Under ultraviolet irradiation the N-CDs emitted a strong blue luminescence with a quantum yield as high as 51%. Moreover, the N-CDs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity and could be applied as efficient nanoprobes for real-time imaging of live cells. In addition, the ability of the N-CDs to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in a concentration-dependent manner was demonstrated using an in vitro BBB model. Therefore, these PEI-passivated N-CDs with real-time live-cell imaging and BBB-penetration capabilities hold promise for traceable drug delivery to the brain. Keywords: hydrothermal synthesis, nitrogen-doped carbon dots, bioimaging
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spelling doaj.art-39c01391d494426aad9c1a358b691f1c2022-12-21T22:58:02ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Nanomedicine1178-20132016-11-01Volume 116325633630241Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilitiesLu SSGuo SSXu PXLi XRZhao YMGu WXue MShousi Lu,1,2 Shanshan Guo,1 Pingxiang Xu,1 Xiaorong Li,1 Yuming Zhao,1 Wei Gu,3 Ming Xue1 1Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Laboratory for Biomedical Detection Technology and Instrument, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 2China Rehabilitation Research Center, 3Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal treatment with citric acid in the presence of polyethylenimine. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the N-CDs were monodispersed and quasi-spherical with an average size of ~2.6 nm. Under ultraviolet irradiation the N-CDs emitted a strong blue luminescence with a quantum yield as high as 51%. Moreover, the N-CDs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity and could be applied as efficient nanoprobes for real-time imaging of live cells. In addition, the ability of the N-CDs to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in a concentration-dependent manner was demonstrated using an in vitro BBB model. Therefore, these PEI-passivated N-CDs with real-time live-cell imaging and BBB-penetration capabilities hold promise for traceable drug delivery to the brain. Keywords: hydrothermal synthesis, nitrogen-doped carbon dots, bioimaginghttps://www.dovepress.com/hydrothermal-synthesis-of-nitrogen-doped-carbon-dots-with-real-time-li-peer-reviewed-article-IJNhydrothermal synthesisnitrogen-doped carbon dotsbioimagingblood brain barrier
spellingShingle Lu SS
Guo SS
Xu PX
Li XR
Zhao YM
Gu W
Xue M
Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
International Journal of Nanomedicine
hydrothermal synthesis
nitrogen-doped carbon dots
bioimaging
blood brain barrier
title Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
title_full Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
title_fullStr Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
title_full_unstemmed Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
title_short Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities
title_sort hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon dots with real time live cell imaging and blood ndash brain barrier penetration capabilities
topic hydrothermal synthesis
nitrogen-doped carbon dots
bioimaging
blood brain barrier
url https://www.dovepress.com/hydrothermal-synthesis-of-nitrogen-doped-carbon-dots-with-real-time-li-peer-reviewed-article-IJN
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