| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Campus Rio Ebro, R+D Building, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain;2. Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Zaragoza Medical School, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;3. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Campus Rio Ebro, R+D Building, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain |
| Abstract: | This work describes the synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (CNDs) synthesized from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a precursor and their application as luminescent agents with a dual-mode theranostic role as near-infrared (NIR) triggered imaging and photodynamic therapy agents. Interestingly, these fluorescent CNDs are more rapidly and selectively internalized by tumor cells and exhibit very limited cytotoxicity until remotely activated with a NIR illumination source. These CNDs are excellent candidates for phototheranostic purposes, for example, simultaneous imaging and therapy can be carried out on cancer cells by using their luminescent properties and the in situ generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) upon excitation in the NIR range. In the presence of CNDs, NIR remote activation induces the in vitro killing of U251MG cells. Through the use of flow imaging cytometry, we have been able to successfully map and quantify the different types of cell deaths induced by the presence of intracellular superoxide anions ( . O2?) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) ROS generated in situ upon NIR irradiation. |
