Preparation of RuBpy-doped Silica Fluorescent Nanoprobes and Their Applications to the Recognition of Liver Cancer Cells

Two different functional groups modified RuBpy-doped silica fluorescent nanoprobes Probe A and B that conjugated with avidin were prepared for the recognition of liver cancer cells. Firstly RuBpy-doped silica nanoparticles were synthesized by reverse microemulsion and then modified with different functional groups. Probe A was prepared by the conjugation of avidin with carboxyl modified nanoparticles through covalent binding using EDC/sulfo-NHS, whereas Probe B was prepared by the conjugation of avidin with the PEG linkers on the surface nanoparticles using cyanogen bromide method. Therefore, different from Probe A, Probe B was obtained by coupling avidin to the nanoparticles through long-chain PEG molecules. The two probes were incubated with liver cancer cells respectively, and microscopic fluorescence imaging showed that Probe B which contained PEG molecules was more effectively applied for the recognition of tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in liver cancer cells.

Graphical abstractTwo different functional groups modified RuBpy-doped silica fluorescent nanoprobes that conjugated with avidin were prepared for the recognition of liver cancer cells. The results showed that the probe which contained PEG molecules was more effectively applied for the recognition of tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in liver cancer cells.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide