In vitro and in vivo intracellular delivery of quantum dots by maurocalcine

Abstract

Maurocalcine is a new member of the increasing family of cell penetrating peptides. We report for the first time that this peptide is able to deliver quantum dots inside a variety of cells, both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, maurocalcine produces intracellular delivery of the nanoparticles without affecting the relative distribution of quantum dots within organs. The data stress out that maurocalcine can be used for intracellular delivery of functionalised nanoparticles in vivo.