Zwitterionic amphiphile coated magnetofluorescent nanoparticles – synthesis, characterization and tumor cell targeting

Magnetofluorescent nanoparticles (MFNPs) have recently attracted significant research interests due to their potential application in biological manipulation and imaging. In this work, through a simple and fast self-assembling process, we first report the preparation of zwitterionic MFNPs (ZW-MFNPs) in the form of micelles using our newly synthesized zwitterionic amphiphiles, CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots, and MnFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles. ZW-MFNPs integrate both MnFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles and CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots in their hydrophobic cores and zwitterionic groups such as carboxybetaine and sulfobetaine on their hydrophilic shells. ZW-MFNPs possess dual imaging properties, high (Mn + Fe) recovery, excellent stability in aqueous solutions with a wide pH/ionic-strength range and physiological media, minimal cytotoxicity, and specific targeting to brain tumor cells after bioconjugation with chlorotoxin. The unique characteristics of ZW-MFNPs may open an avenue for these particles to be employed in broad biomedical applications.