In vitro and ex vivo study demonstrates high biocompatibility and distinct target binding of graphene quantum dots in human cell models, indicating strong potential for cellular bioimaging.
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide 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 –1, 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.
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Pedrozo‐Peñafiel et al. (2025) studied this question.
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