Photoluminescent Cationic Carbon Dots as efficient Non-Viral Delivery of Plasmid SOX9 and Chondrogenesis of Fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: With the increasing demand for higher gene carrier performance, a multifunctional vector could immensely simplify gene delivery for disease treatment; nevertheless, the current non- viral vectors lack self-tracking ability. Here, a type of novel, dual-functional cationic carbon dots (CDs), produced through one-step, microwave-assisted pyrolysis of arginine and glucose, have been utilized as both a self-imaging agent and a non-viral gene vector for chondrogenesis from fibroblasts. The cationic CDs could condense the model gene plasmid SOX9 (pSOX9) to form ultra-small (10-30 nm) nanoparticles which possessed several favorable properties, including high solubility, tunable fluorescence, high yield, low cytotoxicity and outstanding biocompatibility. The MTT assay indicated that CDs/pSOX9 nanop

SUBMITTER: Cao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5935676 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature