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ASSESSMENT OF PENETRATION OF QUANTUM DOTS THROUGH IN VITRO AND IN VIVO HUMAN SKIN USING THE HUMAN SKIN EQUIVALENT MODEL AND THE TAPE STRIPPING METHOD.

Jeong1, S.H., Kim1, J.H., Lee1, S., Lee2, J.P., Kim2, J.H., Sohn2, K.H., Park2, K.L., Kim3, M-K., Son1, S.W. 1Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Nanomedicine, Department of Dermatology and Division of Brain Korea 21 Project for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. 2National Institute of Toxicological Research, Seoul, South Korea. 3Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are rapidly emerging as an important class of nanoparticles (NPs) with potential applications in medicine. However, little is known about penetration of QDs through human skin. This study investigated skin penetration of QDs in both in vivo and in vitro human skin. Using the tape strip- ping method, this study demonstrates for the first time that QDs can actually penetrate through the stra- tum corneum (SC) of human skin. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy diverse X-ray (EDX) analysis showed accumulation of QDs in the SC of a human skin equivalent model (HSEM) after dermal exposure to QDs. These findings suggest possible transdermal absorption of QDs after dermal exposure over a relatively long period of time.

Keywords

Energy diverse X-ray (EDX), Nanoparticles (NPs), Quantum dots, Skin penetration, Stratum corneum, Transdermal absorption, Transmission electron microscope (TEM)

Materials Tested

Quantum dots

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