CdS-Cd(OH)2 core shell quantum dots functionalized with Concanavalin A lectin for recognition of mammary tumors

We report the use of CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots functionalized with glutaraldehyde and conjugated to concanavalin-A (Con-A) lectin to investigate cell alterations regarding carbohydrate profile in human mammary tissues diagnosed as fibroadenoma (benigne tumor). The Con-A lectin is a biomolecule which binds specifically to glucose/mannose residues present in the cellular membrane. These bioconjugated-particles were incubated with tissue sections of normal and to Fibroadenoma, a benign type of mammary tumor. The tissue sections were deparafinized, hydrated in graded alcohol and treated with a solution of Evans Blue in order to avoid autofluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of QD-Con-A stained tissues showed different patterns which reflect the carbohydrate expression of glucose/mannose in fibroadenoma when compared to the detection of the normal carbohydrate expression. The pattern of inespecific labeling of the tissues with glutharaldehyde functionalized CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots is compared to the targeting driven by the Con-A lectin. The preliminary findings reported here support the use of CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots as specific probes of cellular alterations possibiliting their use in diagnostics. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

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