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)