Multifunctional microcapsules: A theranostic agent for US/MR/PAT multi-modality imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal osteosarcoma therapy

Abstract

Development of versatile theranostic agents that simultaneously integrate therapeutic and diagnostic features remains a clinical urgent. Herein, we aimed to prepare uniform PEGylated (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microcapsules (PB@(Fe 3 O 4 @PEG-PLGA) MCs) with superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles embedded in the shell and Prussian blue (PB) NPs inbuilt in the cavity via a premix membrane emulsification (PME) method. On account of the eligible geometry and multiple load capacity, these MCs could be used as efficient multi-modality contrast agents to simultaneously enhance the contrasts of US, MR and PAT imaging. In-built PB NPs furnished the MCs with excellent photothermal conversion property and embedded Fe 3 O 4 NPs endowed the magnetic location for fabrication of targeted drug delivery system. Notably, after further in-situ encapsulation of antitumor drug of DOX, (PB+DOX)@(Fe 3 O 4 @PEG-PLGA) MCs possessed more unique advantages on achieving near infrared (NIR)-responsive drug delivery and magnetic-guided chemo-photothermal synergistic osteosarcoma therapy. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed these biocompatible (PB+DOX)@(Fe 3 O 4 @PEG-PLGA) MCs could effectively target to the tumor tissue with superior therapeutic effect against the invasion of osteosarcoma and alleviation of osteolytic lesions, which will be developed as a smart platform integrating multi-modality imaging capabilities and synergistic effect with high therapy efficacy.

Design and aligner-assisted fast fabrication of a microfluidic platform for quasi-3D cell studies on an elastic polymer

“…Cells respond to various cues from the surrounding microenvironment, such as nanoscaled cues [ 51 , 52 ], surface topology [ 53 , 54 ], material scaffolding [ [55] , [56] , [57] ], biodegradation [ [58] , [59] , [60] ], and chemical cues [ 61 , 62 ]. And in many cases, mechanical cues should be taken into consideration [ [63] , [64] , [65] ].…”

3D printing of bone and cartilage with polymer materials

“…Starch in renewable resources is used as raw material to obtain lactic acid through biological fermentation and following monomer polymerization ( Aihemaiti et al, 2022 ; Buj-Corral et al, 2022 ). Polylactic acid can be converted into carbon dioxide and water in both nature and living organisms and is a truly environmentally friendly new biodegradable material ( Chang et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2022d ). The main reason why polylactic acid can be used as a 3D printing material is that it has good biocompatibility, gloss and transparency, mechanical properties, degradability, low melting point, and low viscosity ( Chang et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2022d ).…”

Advances of Hydrogel-Based Bioprinting for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…Poly (L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) PLGA which consisted of a copolymer of lactide and glycolide had received significant attentions for bio-ink application due to its adjustable structures, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability (Wang et al, 2022). Gottardi et al prepared a biphasic bioprinting PLGA scaffold with embedding adult human mesenchymal stem cells for chondrogenic regeneration (Gottardi et al, 2021).…”