Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy.
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Roma, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 25;21(10):3712. doi: 10.3390/ijms21103712.
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting nanoparticles that have been gaining ground in various applications, including the biomedical field, thanks to their unique optical properties. Recently, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have earned attention in biomedicine and nanomedicine, thanks to their higher biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity compared to other QDs. GQDs share the optical properties of QD and have proven ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). For this reason, GQDs are now being employed to deepen our knowledge in neuroscience diagnostics and therapeutics. Their size and surface chemistry that ease the loading of chemotherapeutic drugs, makes them ideal drug delivery systems through the bloodstream, across the BBB, up to the brain. GQDs-based neuroimaging techniques and theranostic applications, such as photothermal and photodynamic therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy, have been designed. In this review, optical properties and biocompatibility of GQDs will be described. Then, the ability of GQDs to overtake the BBB and reach the brain will be discussed. At last, applications of GQDs in bioimaging, photophysical therapies and drug delivery to the central nervous system will be considered, unraveling their potential in the neuroscientific field.
量子点 (QDs) 是一种半导体纳米粒子，由于其独特的光学性质，在各个应用领域，包括生物医学领域，都得到了广泛的应用。最近，由于与其他 QDs 相比具有更高的生物相容性和低细胞毒性，石墨烯量子点 (GQDs) 在生物医学和纳米医学领域引起了关注。GQDs 具有与 QD 相同的光学性质，并已被证明能够穿过血脑屏障 (BBB)。因此，GQDs 现在被用于加深我们在神经科学诊断和治疗方面的知识。它们的大小和表面化学性质使它们能够轻松加载化疗药物，使其成为通过血液、穿过 BBB 到达大脑的理想药物输送系统。已经设计了基于 GQDs 的神经影像学技术和治疗应用，例如单独或与化疗联合使用的光热和光动力疗法。在这篇综述中，将描述 GQDs 的光学性质和生物相容性。然后，将讨论 GQDs 穿过 BBB 并到达大脑的能力。最后，将考虑 GQDs 在生物成像、光物理治疗和向中枢神经系统输送药物方面的应用，揭示它们在神经科学领域的潜力。
