Self-assembled gold nanostar–NaYF₄:Yb/Er clusters for multimodal imaging, photothermal and photodynamic therapy

Abstract

A grand challenge for medicine is to develop tools to selectively image and treat diseased cells.

DNA‐Assembled Core‐Satellite Upconverting‐Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticle Superstructures for Efficient Photodynamic Therapy

“…Herein, NaFY 4 :Yb/Er UCNPs were synthesized using a thermal decomposition method to produce monodisperse particles 23.8 ± 1.4 nm in diameter (Figure S8, Supporting Information) . The powder XRD pattern of the as‐prepared NaYF 4 ,Yb,Er UCNPs and selected area electron diffraction pattern further confirmed the UCNPs have a β‐phase crystalline structure (Figures S8 and S9, Supporting Information).…”

“…The powder XRD pattern of the as‐prepared NaYF 4 ,Yb,Er UCNPs and selected area electron diffraction pattern further confirmed the UCNPs have a β‐phase crystalline structure (Figures S8 and S9, Supporting Information). In order to transfer the as‐prepared UCNPs into water, C18‐PEG‐NH 2 was added to intercalate with the oleic acid surfactants on the UCNP surface . Next, DNA2 strands complementary to the DNA1 sequence on the MOF NPs were conjugated to the UCNPs by first reacting the C18‐PEG‐NH 2 coated UCNPs with NHS‐DBCO for 4–5 h. As with the MOF NPs, azide‐terminated DNA2 strands were then added to conjugate the UCNPs through copper‐free click reaction (Table S1).…”

“…To address this, different nanoparticle carriers have been studied for loading such photosensitizers, including porous silica or polymer nanoparticles due to their biocompatibility and large surface area . Furthermore, in order to take advantage of the increased tissue penetration of NIR light as compared to UV or visible, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been utilized to excite the photosensitizers due to their ability to absorb in the NIR and emit visible light . For example, we recently showed that UCNPs coated with porous silica shells can be loaded with zinc phthalocyanine to produce 1 O 2 upon NIR irradiation and induce cell cytotoxicity in vitro .…”

“…Furthermore, in order to take advantage of the increased tissue penetration of NIR light as compared to UV or visible, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been utilized to excite the photosensitizers due to their ability to absorb in the NIR and emit visible light . For example, we recently showed that UCNPs coated with porous silica shells can be loaded with zinc phthalocyanine to produce 1 O 2 upon NIR irradiation and induce cell cytotoxicity in vitro . However, photosensitizer loading in the silica‐coated UCNPs was very low, reaching a maximum of 0.34 wt%, dramatically limiting singlet oxygen production and making it difficult to apply for effective cancer treatment .…”

Advanced Near‐Infrared Light‐Responsive Nanomaterials as Therapeutic Platforms for Cancer Therapy

“…[122] However, visible light presented the drawback of phototoxicity and limited penetration depth. [124] Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), a type of PS was loaded into the silica shells of the Au-UCNP clusters to obtain highly emissive agents for both in vitro imaging and simultaneous PTT and PDT. This can be solved by using NIR light-responsive UCNPs modified with silica www.advancedsciencenews.com www.advtherap.com shells and coupled with plasmonic nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles/nanoshells, inorganic semiconductors, and enzymes.…”