From Invisible Structures of SWCNTs toward Fluorescent
and Targeting Architectures for Cell Imaging
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Abstract
Single-walled
carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are unique nanostructures
used as cargo systems for variety of diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
For taking advantage of these structures in biological processes,
they should be visible. Therefore, fluorescence labeling of SWCNTs
with various probes is a significant issue. Herein, we demonstrate
a simple approach for cell specific imaging and diagnosis by combining
SWCNTs with a copolymer poly(<i>para</i>-phenylene) (PPP)
containing polystyrene (PSt) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)
side chains (PPP-<i>g</i>-PSt-PCL). In this approach PPP-<i>g-</i>PSt-PCL is noncovalently attached on carboxyl functional
SWCNTs. The obtained fluorescent probe is bound to folic acid (FA)
for targeted imaging of folate receptor (FR) positive HeLa cells.
In vitro studies demonstrate that this conjugate can specifically
bind to HeLa cells and indicate great potential for targeting and
imaging studies