Fig. 2.

Confocal microscopy analysis of Qdot distribution after binding to HDMECs. Qdots clearly show cyclo(RGDfC)-mediated binding to HDMECs in an αvβ3 integrin-dependent manner (A). Z-stack analysis shows a distribution of cyclo(RGDfC)-Qdots throughout the cells in dot-like structures leaving only nuclei unstained, which suggests internalization of nanoparticles (B). Counterstaining with Alexa Fluor 488-labeled transferrin confirmed the intracellular location of cyclo(RGDfC)-Qdots in HDMECs (C). Arrows mark selected nuclei. (Scale bar: 20 µm.)