<i>In</i> <i>Vitro</i> and <i>Ex Vivo</i> Biocompatibility, Biomolecular Interactions, and Characterization of Graphene Quantum Dots and Its Glutathione-Modified Variant for Qualitative Cell Imaging
This study explores the biological effects and imaging potential of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and their nitrogen-doped, glutathione-modified form (GQDs-GSH) in human cell models. We evaluated the cell viability, hemolysis potential, and irritation effects of these nanomaterials, showing that both GQDs and GQDs-GSH maintained 100% cell viability in the range of 16.25-260 μg mL<sup>-1</sup>, caused minimal RBC hemolysis (<9%), and presented low irritation scores in HET-CAM assays. Interaction studies revealed distinct binding behaviors with biomolecules: GQDs used a static quenching mechanism with human serum albumin (HSA), while GQDs-GSH exhibited a mixed static and dynamic interaction. Additionally, GQDs-GSH exhibited a stronger affinity for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) without disturbing the DNA secondary structure. Fluorescence microscopy-based apoptotic cell staining assays indicated the adherence potential of both GQDs and GQDs-GSH. GQDs tended to accumulate more prominently in regions associated with apoptotic bodies, whereas GQDs-GSH tended to localize on the membranes of spheroid-shaped cells.
Authors
- Marlin J. Pedrozo‐Peñafiel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7476-5458)
- Felipe Furtini Haddad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8134-8305)
- Adelino V.G. Netto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0057-7964)
- Mauro A. Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6061-837X)
- Jean Leandro dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2460-2829)
- Cesar D. Mendoza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-6855)
- Ricardo Q. Aucélio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2476-9936)
- Renan Lira de Farias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5522-7913)
- Cauê Benito Scarim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2540-6395)
- Gabriela Vieira Silva Zolin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3194-945X)
- Luis Miguel Gutierrez-Beleño (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3704-5838)
- Fernando L. Freire-Júnior
- Saulo Santesso Garrido (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7122-1132)
- Emílio Emílio João (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4134-9383)
- Fillipe V. Rocha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5117-871X)
- Tamara Teixeira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3227-9395)
- Ana Beatriz Lazzarini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5370-2001)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos (BR)
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Omega
- Published
- 2025-04-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c10014
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.04
Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro