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Formation of self-assembled quantum dot–chlorin e6 complex: influence of nanoparticles phospholipid coating

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Abstract

The clinical use of phospholipid-coated quantum dots (QDs)–photosensitizer complexes as therapeutic nanoagents depends on colloidal stability of these complexes and efficiency of Förster resonance energy transfer from QDs to bound photosensitizer molecules. In this study, we demonstrate modification of CdSe/ZnS QDs with different phospholipids such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (PEG–DPPE); 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000 (PEG–DOPE) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and the complex formation with photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6). QDs were successfully solubilized in water by coating QDs with PEG–DPPE and PEG–DOPE phospholipids. However, an attempt to solubilize QDs using PEG-free phospholipids (DOPC) was ineffective. While QDs modified with DOPC:PEG–DOPE mixtures at molar ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 showed long-term stability in aqueous solution, colloidal solution of QDs modified by DOPC:PEG–DPPE (molar ratio 2:1) was unstable. We showed that Ce6 forms a stable complex only with QDs coated with unsaturated phospholipids PEG–DOPE and DOPC:PEG–DOPE. Close localization of Ce6 molecules to the core of QDs ensures efficient energy transfer from QDs to bound Ce6 molecules that is crucial for its further application in photodynamic therapy of cancer.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grant (No. MIP-095/2011) from the Research Council of Lithuania. J. V. was supported by the project “Postdoctoral Fellowship Implementation in Lithuania” funded by European Union Structural Fund. A.S. was supported by the Lithuanian Science Council Student Research Fellowship Award. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Physics Laboratory of Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Baublio Str. 3b, 08406, Vilnius, Lithuania

    V. Karabanovas, A. Skripka, J. Valanciunaite, R. Kubiliute, V. Poderys & R. Rotomskis

  2. Biophotonics Group of Laser Research Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Av. 9, Bld. 3, 10222, Vilnius, Lithuania

    R. Rotomskis

Authors
  1. V. Karabanovas
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  2. A. Skripka
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  3. J. Valanciunaite
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  4. R. Kubiliute
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  5. V. Poderys
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  6. R. Rotomskis
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Correspondence to V. Karabanovas.

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Karabanovas, V., Skripka, A., Valanciunaite, J. et al. Formation of self-assembled quantum dot–chlorin e6 complex: influence of nanoparticles phospholipid coating. J Nanopart Res 16, 2508 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2508-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2508-x

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