Oligomeric nanoparticles functionalized with NIR-emitting CdTe/CdS QDs and folate for tumor-targeted imaging

Abstract We report herein the facile surface-functionalization of one type of biocompatible, oligomeric nanoparticles 1-NPs with NIR-emitting CdTe/CdS QDs and folate for tumor-targeted imaging in vivo . The –NH 2 and –SH groups of cysteine residues on the 1-NPs were utilized to covalently conjugate CdTe/CdS QDs and Mal-FA to prepare the hybrid nanoparticles 1-NPs-QDs-FA . As-prepared 1-NPs-QDs-FA showed NIR-fluorescence emission at 734 nm, selective uptake by FR-overexpressing tumor cells in vitro , and selective FR-overexpressing tumor-targeted imaging in vivo . This first example of oligomeric/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles provides people with new type of biomaterials for tumor-targeted imaging with high selectivity.