Folic Acid-Functionalized Polythiophene for Targeted Cellular Imaging

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2016 Jan;16(1):189-95. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2016.10683.

Abstract

Polythiophene containing pendant N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester groups was reacted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and oleylamine, which was subsequently modified with folic acid to prepare a targeting fluorescent cellular imaging probe. The amphiphilic character of the folic acid-functionalized polythiophene induced the formation of nanoparticles with an average diameter of 95.3 nm in water. This polymer shows good photostability and low toxicity toward KB cells at a high concentration (100 µg/mL), which meets the crucial requirement for cellular imaging and other biological applications. The folic acid-functionalized polythiophene could be internalized efficiently into KB cells and accumulated in the cytoplasm to yield bright fluorescence, indicating that it is a good candidate material for the fluorescence imaging of living cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Folic Acid* / chemistry
  • Folic Acid* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • KB Cells
  • Materials Testing*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Polymers* / pharmacology
  • Thiophenes* / chemistry
  • Thiophenes* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Thiophenes
  • polythiophene
  • Folic Acid