Fig. 3
Cellular uptake, biodistribution and cytotoxicity of ZIF-8/PEG-FA NPs. A, B The cellular uptake and fluorescence quantitative analysis of SMMC7721 cells incubated with FITC@ZIF-8 for different periods of time via CLMS(n = 3). Scale: 20 µm. C Assessment of the ratio of SMMC7721 cells taken in by FITC via flow cytometry. D, E Representative fluorescence imaging (red circles indicate tumors, yellow circles indicate liver) and trend curve analysis of ICG@ZIF-8/PEG-FA NPs and free ICG in mice (n = 3). F, G Representative dissected liver and tumors fluorescence imaging and quantitative analysis of ICG@ZIF-8/PEG-FA NPs and free ICG (n = 4). H Dissected organs and tumors fluorescence quantitative analysis of ICG@ZIF-8/PEG-FA NPs (n = 4). I The content of Zn2+ in dissected organs and tumors evaluated by ICP-OES of ICG@ZIF-8/PEG-FA NPs (n = 8). J The viability of SMMC7721, Huh7, HEPG2, and Hepa1-6 cells after being incubated with ZIF-8 NPs of a specific concentration for 24 h (n = 3). Results were expressed as mean ± SD, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.0001. ICG, Indocyanine Green; ICP-OES, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission spectroscopy