Multifunctional Bismuth Nanoparticles as Theranostic Agent for PA/CT Imaging and NIR Laser-Driven Photothermal Therapy

Abstract

multifunctional theranostic agents are highly demanded in biomedical fields. However, their design and fabrication still face enormous challenges. Herein, we strategically design and fabricate 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholinemodified (DLPC-modified) bismuth nanoparticles (denoted as Bi@DLPC NPs) with desirable size of 47 ± 3 nm as a theranostic agent for photoacoustic (PA) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in response to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. Bi@DLPC NPs possess the excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of 35% and PA/CT imaging properties, which are attributed to the strong NIR absorption and high atomic number (83) of bismuth element. Moreover, it is demonstrated that Bi@DLPC NPs are effectively accumulated in the tumor region because of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. With the PTT, the growth of cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 cells) can be remarkably ablated in vitro and in vivo; meanwhile no obvious damage and noticeable toxicity are detected to major organs. The antitumor mechanism of Bi@DLPC NPs is attributable to the mitochondrial dysfunction and change of cell membrane permeability of MDA-MB-231 cells caused by photothermal effects upon laser irradiation. On the basis of their high stability and excellent biocompatibility, Bi@DLPC NPs have great potential for the treatment of various types of tumors.

Cytotoxicity of Shear Exfoliated Pnictogen (As, Sb, Bi) Nanosheets

“…Both bismuth and antimonial drugs have seen long histories in therapeutic purposes, these antimony and bismuth nanosheets could be potentially applied in biomedical fields . Antimony and bismuth nanosheets, like other 2D nanomaterials (graphene and black phosphorus) that possess large surface area to volume ratio and excellent photothermal conversion, could possibly hold great promise for clinical translations such as the development of drug carriers or photothermal transducing agents (PTAs).…”

“…[54,55] From both WST-8 and MTT data plottedi nF igure 6i ti s shownt hat pnictogen nanosheets are generally less toxic than pnictogen(III) salts, with the exceptiono fa rsenic nanosheets being more toxic than its salt counterpart at concentrations above 50 mgmL À1 .B oth bismuth and antimonial drugs have seen long histories in therapeutic purposes,t hese antimony and bismuth nanosheets could be potentially applied in biomedicalf ields. [56][57][58][59][60][61] Antimony andb ismuth nanosheets, like other 2D nanomaterials (graphene and black phosphorus) that possess large surface area to volume ratio and excellent photothermalc onversion, [58,62,63] could possibly hold great promise for clinicalt ranslations such as the development of drug carriers or photothermal transducing agents(PTAs).…”

Methods for Reducing the Toxicity of Metal and Metal Oxide NPs as Biomedicine

“…The unique properties of nanometals are associated with their small size, and thus a high ratio of surface to volume of particles. In addition, depending on the method by which the metal nanoparticles are obtained, it is possible to obtain particles that differ not only in size but also in shape, which also affects their properties [36]. Gold and silver nanoparticles are by far the most important in medical applications.…”

A Safe‐by‐Design Strategy towards Safer Nanomaterials in Nanomedicines

“…Similarly, dye‐doped magnetic mesoporous silica NPs could also be used simultaneously as a contrast agent in MR imaging and drug carrier with doxorubicin loaded in the pores, enabling imaging‐guided anticancer therapy . Surface plasmon resonance properties of gold, silver, and bismuth NPs have been widely explored for potential applications in biosensing, drug delivery, and phototherapy of diseases . Inorganic nanomaterials also provide ready possibilities for additional surface functionalization, including: i) direct encapsulation by hydrophilic polymers, ii) ligand exchange with hydrophilic ligands, iii) formation of an interdigitated bilayer, and iv) doping with hetero‐elements, finally improving their colloidal stability, water‐solubility and flexibility, or further conferring additional biomedical functions in bioimaging and targeted drug delivery .…”