Issue 17, 2023

Multifunctional nanomicelles constructed via an aggregation and de-aggregation strategy for magnetic resonance/NIR II fluorescence imaging-guided type I photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (FL/MRI) has received much attention due to their complementary characteristics. However, the simultaneous enhancement of fluorescence and MR signals plus the efficacy of the treatment is still a major challenge. To tackle this difficulty, we put forward a strategy of aggregation and de-aggregation based on luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features. NIR II photosensitizer 4,4′-(6,7-diphenyl-[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline-4,9-diyl)bis(N,N-diphenylaniline) (TQ-TPA) with type I reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability and amphiphilic 2TPE-Gd were synthesized, and both of them showed the AIE feature. During the construction of nanomicelles, hydrophobic TQ-TPA spontaneously aggregated into the core of the nanomicelles formed by 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000 (DSPE-PEG). Meanwhile, aggregates of 2TPE (tetraphenylethylene)-Gd in aqueous solution could be de-aggregated and inserted into the interface, and formed TGdTT nanomicelles (NMs). Based on this strategy and the AIE feature, the TGdTT NMs exhibited strong NIR II fluorescence and type I ROS generation ability, and enhanced T1 relaxivity (r1). Moreover, in vitro, in vivo, and pharmacokinetics results demonstrated that these nanomicelles have good biosafety and a long blood circulation time. Finally, they allowed successful realization of complementary MR/NIR II fluorescence dual-modal imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) to inhibit tumor growth. This work demonstrated that the aggregation and de-aggregation strategy of AIEgens in core–shell nanomicelles is very attractive for constructing multifunctional theranostic probes.

Graphical abstract: Multifunctional nanomicelles constructed via an aggregation and de-aggregation strategy for magnetic resonance/NIR II fluorescence imaging-guided type I photodynamic therapy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
04 Apr 2023
Accepted
16 Mai 2023
First published
17 Mai 2023

Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 3657-3667

Multifunctional nanomicelles constructed via an aggregation and de-aggregation strategy for magnetic resonance/NIR II fluorescence imaging-guided type I photodynamic therapy

L. Wang, J. Qi, K. Zhang, Z. Zhuang, K. Ding, X. Chen, H. Shan, D. Ding, A. Qin and B. Z. Tang, Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 3657 DOI: 10.1039/D3QM00347G

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