Periodic Mesoporous Ionosilica Nanoparticles for Green Light Photodynamic Therapy and Photochemical Internalization of siRNA

Abstract

We report Periodic Mesoporous Ionosilica Nanoparticles (PMINPs) as versatile nano-objects for imaging, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and efficient adsorption and delivery of siRNA into breast cancer cells. In order to endow these nanoparticles PDT and siRNA photochemical internalization (PCI) properties, a porphyrin derivative was integrated into the ionosilica framework. For this purpose, we synthesized PMINPs via hydrolysis-cocondensation procedures from oligosilylated ammonium and porphyrin precursors. The formation of these nanoobjects was attested by TEM. The formed nanoparticles were then thoroughly characterized via solid state NMR, nitrogen sorption, DLS, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicate the formation of highly porous nanorods with a length of 108 ± 9 nm and a width of 54 ± 4 nm. A significant PDT effect of type I mechanism (95 ± 2.8% of cell death) was observed upon green light irradiation in nanoparticles treated-breast cancer cells, while the blue light irradiation caused a significant phototoxic effect in non-treated cells. Furthermore, PMINPs formed stable complexes with siRNA (up to 24 h), which were efficiently internalized into the cells after 4 h of incubation mostly with energy-dependent endocytosis process. The PCI effect was obvious with green light irradiation and successfully led to 83 ± 1.1% silencing of luciferase gene in luciferase expressing breast cancer cells, while no gene silencing effect was observed with blue light irradiation. The present work highlights the high potential of porphyrin-doped PMINPs as multifunctional nanocarriers for nucleic acids, such as siRNA, with a triple ability to perform imaging, PDT and PCI.

Ionic guest in ionic host: ionosilica ionogel composites via ionic liquid confinement in ionosilica supports

“…So far, ionosilicas have mainly been investigated for their interesting anion exchange properties, [25][26][27] and as drug carrier vehicles and innovative theranostic nanotools for applications in the biomedical field. [28][29][30] Herein, we focused on the elaboration of ionosilica IGs, i.e. composites consisting of ILs confined in an ionosilica matrix, that is, materials that are only composed of ionic building blocks.…”

“…So far, ionosilicas have mainly been investigated for their interesting anion exchange properties, 25–27 and as drug carrier vehicles and innovative theranostic nano-tools for applications in the biomedical field. 28–30…”

Photochemical Internalization of Etoposide Using Dendrimer Nanospheres Loaded with Etoposide and Protoporphyrin IX on a Glioblastoma Cell Line

“…Various types of nanocarriers have been studied for PCI; for example, the work by Bettache et al utilized periodic mesoporous ionosilica nanoparticles incoporating small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a porphyrin derivative to enable imaging, PDT, and PCI of the siRNA. The study found a remarkable PDT and gene-silencing effect following light irradiation on a breast cancer cell line [73]. In another report, photo-and pH-degradable nanoparticles carrying hematoporphyrin and camptothecin were made from polymers of the polyacetal family; an increased drug potency and specificity were found against HeLa cells and the treatment effect was attributed to the release of the cargo through photo-chemo-degradation of the nanoparticle within the endosome, followed by hematoporphyrin-mediated PDT and PCI of camptothecin [74].…”

Long non‑coding RNA CASC11 interacts with YBX1 to promote prostate cancer progression by suppressing the p53 pathway

“…Therefore, extensive research into potent and specific CASC11 inhibitors is urgently required. Nanoparticles carrying siRNA have attracted attention as promising alternatives for cancer therapy ( 17 , 40 , 41 ). In the present study, a PBAE carrier was generated to deliver si-CASC11 and inhibit CASC11 expression.…”