Sunflower-type nanogels carrying a quantum dot nanoprobe for both superior gene delivery efficacy and tracing of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Sunflower-type nanogels carrying the QD 655 nanoprobe can be used for both gene transfection and bioimaging of hMSCs. The entry of sunflower-type nanogels into hMSCs can be possibly controlled by changing the formation of QDs. The physico-chemical properties of sunflower-type nanogels internalized by hMSCs were confirmed by AFM, SEM, TEM, gel retardation, and ζ-potential analyses. The bioimaging capacity was confirmed by confocal laser microscopy, Kodak imaging, and Xenogen imaging. Specifically, we investigated the cytotoxicity of sunflower-type nanogels via SNP analysis. Internalization of sunflower-type nanogels does not cause malfunction of hMSCs.