Advances in quantum dot-mediated siRNA delivery

Publication date: Available online 13 July 2017 Source:Chinese Chemical Letters Author(s): Zhi-Yao He, Zhao-Hui Jin, Mei Zhan, Zhou Qin, Zhi Li, Ting Xu Nano-sized quantum dots (QDs) exhibit uniquely optical properties that are tunable with different sizes and shapes. QDs can emit narrow symmetric bands under a wide excitation range, possess anti-photobleaching stability, and be bio-functionalized on the large surface area. Therefore, QDs are attractive vectors for imaging-guided therapy. Small-interfering RNA (siRNAs)-based therapeutics hold great potential to target a large part of the currently undruggable genes, but overcoming the lipid bilayer to deliver siRNA into cells has remained a major challenge to solve for widespread development of siRNA therapeutics. In this mini-review, we focus on theranostic QD/siRNA assembles for enhancing delivery of siRNA and facilitating evaluation of therapeutic efficacy via imaging of QDs, with special attention to carbonaceous QDs for delivery of siRNA. Graphical abstract
Source: Chinese Chemical Letters - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research