Surface-adaptive nanoparticles with near-infrared aggregation-induced emission for image-guided tumor resection

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used for image-guided tumor resection because of their high signal-to-noise ratios and long systemic circulation time. These NPs are derived by encapsulating small-molecule fluorescent dyes with AIE property inside the cores of NPs assembled by amphiphilic polymers. Although the systemic circulation of AIE NPs is prolonged, hydrophilic polymer coatings simultaneously decrease the binding and uptake of AIE NPs by tumor cells. To overcome this problem, surface-adaptive AIE dye-encapsulated mixed-shell micelles (MSMs) with polyethylene glycol/poly (β-amino ester) (PEG/PAE) surfaces were prepared. Due to the charge conversion ability of PAE, MSMs demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake by tumor cells in acidic conditions. In addition, compared with single-PEG-shelled micelles (PEGSMs), MSMs exhibited prolonged systemic circulation due to the presence of micro-phase separated surfaces. Moreover, due to the co-ordination effect of enhanced cancer cell uptake and prolonged systemic circulation time, MSMs were more enriched than PEGSMs in the tumor cells and exhibited excellent performance during image-guided tumor resection.