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Related Concept Videos

  1. Home
  3. Research Domains
  5. Physical Sciences
  7. Condensed Matter Physics
  9. Surface Properties Of Condensed Matter
  11. Surface Charge Dictates The Mechanism Of Cellular Uptake Of Fluorescent Amine Passivated Carbon Dots.
  1. Home
  3. Research Domains
  5. Physical Sciences
  7. Condensed Matter Physics
  9. Surface Properties Of Condensed Matter
  11. Surface Charge Dictates The Mechanism Of Cellular Uptake Of Fluorescent Amine Passivated Carbon Dots.

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Surface charge dictates the mechanism of cellular uptake of fluorescent amine passivated carbon dots.

Adryanne Clermont-Paquette1,2,3, Gianluca Fuoco2, Cécilia R Brancheriau3

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for NanoScience Research, Concordia University Montreal QC H4B 1R6 Canada rafik.naccache@concordia.ca.

RSC Advances
|August 27, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Surface charge significantly impacts carbon dot (CD) cellular uptake and localization. Negatively charged CDs showed greater uptake and cytosolic enrichment, while positively charged ones localized in lysosomes, guiding nanomedicine applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Cellular uptake of carbon dots (CDs) is primarily governed by their surface charge.
  • Previous studies often lack control over physico-chemical properties, leading to confounding variables.
  • Understanding the precise role of surface charge in CD-cell interactions is crucial for targeted applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of surface charge on the cellular uptake and intracellular localization of amine-passivated carbon dots (CDs) with controlled properties.
  • To compare the uptake mechanisms of CDs with varying surface charges synthesized using different amine passivating agents.
  • To elucidate how surface charge and chemical composition interplay to affect CD biodistribution within human cells.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) using citric acid and either diethylenetriamine (DT3) or pentaethylenehexamine (PH6) via microwave-assisted synthesis.
  • Separation of CDs into distinct surface charge fractions (-35 mV to +7 mV) using ion exchange column chromatography.
  • Characterization of CD properties (physico-chemical, optical, surface functionalities via FT-IR) and assessment of cellular uptake and localization in HeLa cells using fluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Amine-passivated carbon dots (CDs) with varying surface charges were successfully synthesized and fractionated.
  • FT-IR analysis indicated changes in surface functionalities, particularly amide stretch, correlating with decreasing surface charge.
  • A clear correlation was observed between surface charge and cellular uptake: DT3-CDs with a -14 mV charge exhibited 1.17-fold greater uptake and 4.12-fold cytosolic enrichment compared to -35 mV CDs, which localized in lysosomes.
  • PH6-CDs showed consistent lysosomal localization irrespective of their charge (-6 mV to +7 mV).

Conclusions:

  • Surface charge is a critical determinant of carbon dot (CD) cellular uptake efficiency and intracellular trafficking.
  • The chemical composition of the passivating agent (e.g., DT3 vs. PH6) influences how surface charge affects CD behavior.
  • Tailoring the surface charge and chemical composition of CDs can optimize their cellular uptake and localization for applications in bioimaging and nanomedicine.