RT Journal Article
T1 808 nm-activable core@multishell upconverting nanoparticles with enhanced stability for efficient photodynamic therapy
A1 Martínez, Raquel
A1 Polo Tobajas, Ester
A1 Barbosa Fernández, Silvia
A1 Taboada Antelo, Pablo
A1 Pino González de la Higuera, Pablo Alfonso del
A1 Pelaz García, Beatriz
K1 Upconverting nanoparticles
K1 Photodynamic therapy
K1 Photosensitizers
K1 Click chemistry
K1 Polymer coating
AB Background: The unique upconversion properties of rare-earth-doped nanoparticles offers exciting opportunities for biomedical applications, in which near-IR remote activation of biological processes is desired, including in vivo bioimaging, optogenetics, and light-based therapies. Tuning of upconversion in purposely designed core–shell nanoparticles gives access to biological windows in biological tissue. In recent years there have been several reports on NIR-excitable upconverting nanoparticles capable of working in biological mixtures and cellular settings. Unfortunately, most of these nanosystems are based on ytterbium’s upconversion at 980 nm, concurrent with water’s absorption within the first biological window. Thus, methods to produce robust upconverting nanoplatforms that can be efficiently excited with other than 980 nm NIR sources, such as 808 nm and 1064 nm, are required for biomedical applications. Results: Herein, we report a synthetic method to produce aqueous stable upconverting nanoparticles that can be activated with 808 nm excitation sources, thus avoiding unwanted heating processes due to water absorbance at 980 nm. Importantly, these nanoparticles, once transferred to an aqueous environment using an amphiphilic polymer, remain colloidally stable for long periods of time in relevant biological media, while keeping their photoluminescence properties. The selected polymer was covalently modified by click chemistry with two FDA-approved photosensitizers (Rose Bengal and Chlorin e6), which can be efficiently and simultaneously excited by the light emission of our upconverting nanoparticles. Thus, our polymer-functionalization strategy allows producing an 808 nm-activable photodynamic nanoplatform. These upconverting nanocomposites are preferentially stored in acidic lysosomal compartments, which does not negatively affect their performance as photodynamic agents. Upon 808 nm excitation, the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and their effect in mitochondrial integrity were demonstrated. Conclusions: In summary, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using photosensitizer-polymer-modified upconverting nanoplatforms that can be activated by 808 nm light excitation sources for application in photodynamic therapy. Our nanoplatforms remain photoactive after internalization by living cells, allowing for 808 nm-activated ROS generation. The versatility of our polymer-stabilization strategy promises a straightforward access to other derivatizations (for instance, by integrating other photosensitizers or homing ligands), which could synergistically operate as multifunctional photodynamic platforms nanoreactors for in vivo applications
PB Springer
SN 2158-7027
YR 2020
FD 2020-06-05
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/44096
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/44096
LA eng
NO Martínez, R., Polo, E., Barbosa, S. et al. 808 nm-activable core@multishell upconverting nanoparticles with enhanced stability for efficient photodynamic therapy. J Nanobiotechnol 18, 85 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-020-00640-3
NO This work received financial support from the Spanish MINECO-AEI/FEDER (MAT2015-74381-JIN to B.P., CTQ2017-89588-R to P.d.P., MAT2016-80266-R to P.T.), the European Union (European Regional Development Fund, Interreg V-A POCTEP España-Portugal programme, 2iqbioneuro project), and the Xunta de Galicia (Centro singular de investigación de Galicia accreditation 2016–2019, ED431G/09; Grupo de Referencia Competitiva ED431C 2018/26; Agrupación Estratégica en Materiales-AEMAT ED431E 2018/08; ED431F 2017/02). P.d.P. and B.P. acknowledge the RyC program (grant agreement RyC 2014-16962 and RyC-2017-23457, respectively); E.P. acknowledges the JdC program (IJCI-2016-30706).
DS Minerva
RD 28 abr 2026