Shell-Free Copper Indium Sulfide Quantum Dots Induce Toxicity in Vitro and in Vivo.

ABSTRACT: Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are attractive fluorescent contrast agents for in vivo imaging due to their superior photophysical properties, but traditional QDs comprise toxic materials such as cadmium or lead. Copper indium sulfide (CuInS₂, CIS) QDs have been posited as a nontoxic and potentially clinically translatable alternative; however, previous in vivo studies utilized particles with a passivating zinc sulfide (ZnS) shell, limiting direct evidence of the biocompatibility of the underlying CIS. For the first time, we assess the biodistribution and toxicity of unshelled CIS and partially zinc-alloyed CISZ QDs in a murine model. We show that bare CIS QDs breakdown quickly, inducing significant toxicity as seen in organ weight, blood chemistry, and histology.

SUBMITTER: Kays JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7210713 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature