Issue 2, 2021

Transporting mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizers into cancer cells by low-density lipoproteins for fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are an endogenous nanocarrier to transport lipids in vivo. Owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, reduced immunogenicity, and natural tumor-targeting capability, we, for the first time, report the reconstitution of native LDL particles with saturated fatty acids and a mitochondrion-targeting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer for fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy (PDT). In particular, a novel AIE photosensitizer (TPA-DPPy) with a donor–acceptor (D–A) structure and a pyridinium salt is designed and synthesized, which possesses typical AIE and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) characteristics as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitizing capability. In view of its prominent photophysical and photochemical properties, TPA-DPPy is encapsulated into LDL particles for photodynamic killing of cancer cells that overexpress LDL receptors (LDLRs). The resultant LDL (rLDL) particles maintain a similar morphology and size distribution to native LDL particles, and are efficiently ingested by cancer cells via LDLR-mediated endocytosis, followed by the release of TPA-DPPy for mitochondrion-targeting. Upon light irradiation, the produced ROS surrounding mitochondria lead to efficient and irreversible cell apoptosis. Interestingly, this process can be fluorescently monitored in a real-time fashion, as reflected by the remarkably enhanced luminescence and blue-shifted emission, indicating the increased mechanical stress during apoptosis. Quantitative cell viability analysis suggests that TPA-DPPy exhibits an outstanding phototoxicity toward LDLR-overexpressing A549 cancer cells, with a killing efficiency of ca. 88%. The rLDL particles are a class of safe and multifunctional nanophototheranostic agents, holding great promise in high-quality PDT by providing real-time fluorescence feedback on the therapeutic outcome.

Graphical abstract: Transporting mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizers into cancer cells by low-density lipoproteins for fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Oct 2020
Accepted
07 Dec 2020
First published
10 Dec 2020

Nanoscale, 2021,13, 1195-1205

Transporting mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizers into cancer cells by low-density lipoproteins for fluorescence-feedback photodynamic therapy

C. Wang, X. Zhao, H. Jiang, J. Wang, W. Zhong, K. Xue and C. Zhu, Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 1195 DOI: 10.1039/D0NR07342C

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