Dandelion-Inspired Hierarchical Upconversion Nanoplatform for Synergistic Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy In Vitro

Abstract

Herein, inspired by the structure of a dandelion, we develop a fresh preparation of an upconversion nanoplatform (UCNPs@C60-DOX-FA). The target part folic acid (FA) modified with β-CD-NH2 can enhance dispersibility and afford the nanoplatform to arrive at the tumor and enter cancer cells easily. After the mouse breast cancer (4T1) cell incubation with the nanoplatform, the abundant glutathione (GSH) in cells cuts the −S–S– bonds like scissors, just as dandelion encountering wind, and the drug doxorubicin (DOX) flows into the nucleus for chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect is enhanced with the decrease content of GSH, which promotes the reactive oxygen species to accumulation. The synergistic chemotherapy and PDT are outstanding in killing 4T1 cells. The rest part UCNPs@C60 possesses excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. As for cancer diagnosis, UCNPs can be used as a visual imaging agent. Benefited by the delicate structure, all of the functional parts of the nanoplatform go and coordinate well. On account of an FA ligand and the −S–S– bond, the nanoplatform works very well in 4T1 cells while it is able to avoid damage to normal cells since the FA receptors and GSH have overexpression in the 4T1 cells. Thus, this work shows an accessible strategy to design a dandelion-like hierarchical nanoplatform for potential bioimaging-guided synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy.

Near-Infrared-Light-Responsive Copper Oxide Nanoparticles as Efficient Theranostic Nanoagents for Photothermal Tumor Ablation

“…What is more, with the development of high-field magnetic imaging, it is urgent to construct new CAs for ultra-high-field MRI. , For further cancer therapy, photothermal therapy (PTT) has aroused wide attention because of the most promising minimally invasion in the course of treatment. , PTT takes full advantages of the photothermal effect of photothermal agents (PTAs) and shows great ability in tumor ablation as well as precise spatial selectivity in tissue heating. , Until now, varieties of nanomaterials have been reported as PTAs, such as various gold nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials, bismuth nanoparticles, and copper sulfide nanoparticles . The success of PTT of cancer has encouraged many in vivo animal studies in recent years as well. , On the basis of the latest research, the treatment strategy of combining MRI with efficient PTT shows high performance in monitoring the response during treatments and increases therapy efficacy and safety. , Although many achievements in the construction of multifunctional theranostic nanoagents have been made, there are still many problems waiting to be solved, including precise structure design, complicated synthetic steps, uncontrollable particle size, and difficult surface decoration. − Thus, it is an urgent need to develop efficient theranostic nanoagents to address these issues. , …”

“…26−29 Thus, it is an urgent need to develop efficient theranostic nanoagents to address these issues. 30,31 Copper (Cu) is a key element in many biological activities, which has also attracted growing attention in disease treatments. 32 Up to now, numerous copper-based nanoagents have been widely researched for diagnosis, detection, and therapy of some diseases.…”

NaYF4:Yb/Er@Mn3O4@GOX Nanocomposite for Upconversion Fluorescence Imaging and Synergistic Cascade Cancer Therapy by Apoptosis and Ferroptosis

“…These data indicate that the material has the potential to be used as a tumor fluorescence imaging agent in response to tumor microenvironment. [ 35 ]…”

“…These data indicate that the material has the potential to be used as a tumor fluorescence imaging agent in response to tumor microenvironment. [35] Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to investigate the generation of • OH in Fenton-like reactions. For details of calculation methods and parameters, please refer to the section Theoretical Calculation Details.…”

A functional bimodal mesoporous silica nanoparticle with redox/cellulase dual-responsive gatekeepers for controlled release of fungicide

“…Glutathione (GSH) is a key antioxidant that extensively distributes in various organisms due to its high antioxidant properties 16 , 17 . The disulfide bond (–S–S–) is destroyed by the reductive hydrogen in the sulfhydryl group (–SH–) in GSH, and then reduced to the sulfhydryl group 18 , 19 . Amino cellulose is derived from cellulose and can also be degraded by the cellulase secreted by plant pathogens 20 , 21 .…”