Design of multifunctional liposome-quantum dot hybrid nanocarriers and their biomedical application

Abstract

Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs), have rich surface chemistry and unique optical properties that make them useful as probes or carriers for molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. However, their potential toxicity and instability in biological environments have puzzled scientific researchers. Much research effort has been devoted to encapsulation of QDs with liposomal hybrids to make them versatile nanocarriers for simultaneous therapeutics and diagnostics (theranostics) and considerable progress has been made over recent years. We provide an overview of the use of QD–liposome complexes (QLCs) for imaging applications, in particular applications in theranostics. More specifically, the design considerations, intracellular uptake and tissue-specific targeting of QLCs are highlighted. Current findings of QLCs for theranostics are discussed. We also discuss the challenges and highlight future directions for applications of liposome–QD hybrid nanocarriers in the biomedical arena.

Keywords:

• Quantum dots
• liposome
• targeting
• theranostics
• nanostructures
• multiplexed biosensors
• biomedical application

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81460541), the Science and Technology Program of Ningxia Medical University (XT201314) and the Science and Technology Program of Overseas Students (2014486).