Near-infrared photoresponsive h-PCuNF nanoparticles mediate multimodal therapeutics against malignant tumors

doi:10.12307/2025.255

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Precision therapy based on multifunctional nanomaterials is a novel therapeutic model for malignancies that can integrate multiple imaging and therapeutic models into one nanoscale platform to achieve visual combination treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To prepare novel nanoparticles loaded with Cu2(OH)PO4 nanoparticles (CuNPs) and nuciferine (NF) (h-PCuNF), and to explore their ability to mediate combined photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy for malignancy.

METHODS: The h-PCuNF nanoparticles were synthesized through a double-emulsion procedure, through which the CuNPs and NF were loaded into the shell of hollow poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanocarriers. The morphology, structure, particle size, and zeta potential of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles were characterized. In deionized water, the magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal conversion performances of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles, as well as their capability to implement reactive oxygen species production by mediating photocatalysis and Fenton-like reactions, were evaluated. In liver malignant tumor cell line HepG2 cells, the

effectiveness of the photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy combination therapy mediated by the nanoparticles was detected by employing fluorescence imaging and MTT assay.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The h-PCuNF nanoparticles possessed a hollow spherical structure in which the CuNPs (drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 26.3% and 63.2%, respectively) and NF (drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 11.0% and 52.6%, respectively) were loaded into the shell. The average particle size of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles was (309.2±10.0) nm, while the zeta potential was determined to be (-12.5±0.9) mV. In physiological environments, the nanoparticles possess favorable suspension stability. (2) In deionized water, the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could markedly enhance T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging images. The h-PCuNF nanoparticles showed remarkable photothermal conversion and photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation capabilities under near infrared laser irradiation. In addition, the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could consume glutathione and mediate Fenton-like reactions to produce ·OH. (3) The h-PCuNF nanoparticles could be taken up by HepG2 tumor cells and were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The synergistic therapeutic effect was demonstrated after the nanoparticles were activated by near infrared laser irradiation, because CuNPs mediated photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy and NF mediated chemotherapy could synergistically eliminate the tumor cells.

Key words: malignant tumor, nanoparticle, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, Cu2(OH)PO4, nuciferine

CLC Number:

Chen Yaodong, Ren Jiayi, Cao Jingwei, Fan Wenwen, Chen Wu. Near-infrared photoresponsive h-PCuNF nanoparticles mediate multimodal therapeutics against malignant tumors[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2025, 29(4): 780-788.

Figures/Tables 7

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