Folic Acid-Functionalized Polythiophene for Targeted Cellular Imaging

Authors:
  • HKHyun-Chul Kim
    Hyun-Chul Kim
  • EKEunjoo Kim
    Eunjoo Kim
  • SLSe Guen Lee
    Se Guen Lee
  • SLSung Jun Lee
    Sung Jun Lee
  • SJSang Won Jeong
    Sang Won Jeong
  • THTae-Lin Ha
    Tae-Lin Ha
  • BLBoram Lee
    Boram Lee
  • SLSeung Woo Lee
    Seung Woo Lee
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Abstract
Polythiophene containing pendant N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester groups was reacted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and oleylamine, which was subsequently modified with folic acid to prepare a targeting fluorescent cellular imaging probe. The amphiphilic character of the folic acid-functionalized polythiophene induced the formation of nanoparticles with an average diameter of 95.3 nm in water. This polymer shows good photostability and low toxicity toward KB cells at a high concentration (100 µg/mL), which meets the crucial requirement for cellular imaging and other biological applications. The folic acid-functionalized polythiophene could be internalized efficiently into KB cells and accumulated in the cytoplasm to yield bright fluorescence, indicating that it is a good candidate material for the fluorescence imaging of living cells.