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Preparation and Photoacoustic Analysis of Cellular Vehicles Containing Gold Nanorods
Published on: May 2, 2016
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Reduction-responsive diblock copolymer-modified gold nanorods for enhanced cellular uptake
Yixia Li1, Jianhao Si1, Haiyan Fan1
1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China xdye@ustc.edu.cn.
RSC Advances
|May 11, 2022
Summary
This study developed reduction-responsive polymer micelles loaded with gold nanorods (AuNRs) for enhanced drug delivery. These novel nanoparticles show improved cellular uptake and stability, offering a promising platform for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Reduction-responsive polymer micelles are effective drug carriers for targeted cancer therapy.
- Gold nanorods (AuNRs) possess unique optical and electronic properties for biomedical applications.
- Controlled drug release via external stimuli enhances therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize lipoic-acid-functionalized reduction-responsive amphiphilic copolymer (LA-PCL-SS-POEGA) modified AuNRs.
- To evaluate the stability and drug release capabilities of the modified AuNRs under reducing conditions.
- To investigate the enhanced cellular uptake and photothermal properties of the reduction-responsive AuNRs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of LA-PCL-SS-POEGA copolymer and its conjugation to AuNRs via Au-S bonds.
- Characterization using Dynamic Laser Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and UV/vis spectroscopy.
- Evaluation of stability in various media and assessment of cellular uptake using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Main Results:
- AuNRs modified with LA-PCL-SS-POEGA (AuNRs@LA-PCL-SS-POEGA) demonstrated aggregation in reducing environments (150 mM DTT) but stability in non-reducing conditions.
- The modified AuNRs exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency upon Near-Infrared (NIR) laser irradiation.
- In vitro studies showed enhanced cellular uptake of AuNRs@LA-PCL-SS-POEGA compared to non-responsive counterparts.
Conclusions:
- The developed reduction-responsive polymer-modified AuNRs are stable in physiological conditions and responsive to reductive stimuli.
- The modification enhances nanoparticle stability and cellular internalization, crucial for effective drug delivery.
- This platform holds significant potential for advanced cancer therapy through controlled drug release and photothermal effects.
