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Published on: May 2, 2016
Lotus Seedpod-Inspired Crosslinking-Assembled Hydrogels Based on Gold Nanoclusters for Synergistic Osteosarcoma
Zhe Yang1, Zuhao Li2, Yue Zhao1
1State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Material, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma is difficult to be resected through surgical operations without damage to the bone matrix, while chemotherapy and radiotherapy induce inevitable systemic injury. It is still a major challenge to develop a novel treatment suitable for the complex anatomical structure of the bone. Herein, inspired by lotus seedpods, injectable hydrogels with long-term retention for synergistic osteosarcoma treatment were developed. Gold nanoclusters (GNCs) with strong fluorescence (FL) and computed tomography (CT) imaging effects represented the lotus seeds. The oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA-ALD) chain resembled the stem. HA-ALD and GNCs form crosslinking-assembled hydrogels abbreviated as HG-CAHs through dynamic amide bonds. Compared with DNA-, pH-, and light-mediated assembly, this in situ method induces enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) ability, ensures high biocompatibility, and retains the imaging function of GNCs, which contribute to lighting up osteosarcoma persistently for further diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the HG-CAHs with outstanding mechanical properties are similar to the lotus seedpods with supportive force and a typical porous structure. They are favorable for the local pH- and near-infrared (NIR)-responsive release of doxorubicin (Dox) owing to the acidic osteosarcoma microenvironment and the Brownian movement. The HG-CAHs ablate osteosarcoma efficiently and reduce metabolic toxicity significantly, which will aid in the development of a new generation of osteosarcoma treatments.
Insights
Injectable hydrogels inspired by lotus seedpods offer a novel synergistic treatment for osteosarcoma. This approach combines advanced imaging and photothermal therapy for effective tumor ablation with reduced systemic toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma resection is challenging due to bone matrix damage.
- Current treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause systemic injury.
- Developing bone-specific treatments remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop injectable hydrogels for synergistic osteosarcoma treatment.
- To create a system with long-term retention and imaging capabilities.
- To improve upon existing osteosarcoma therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized injectable hydrogels (HG-CAHs) using oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA-ALD) and gold nanoclusters (GNCs).
- Utilized dynamic amide bonds for in situ crosslinking assembly.
- Incorporated doxorubicin (Dox) for localized, responsive drug release.
Main Results:
- HG-CAHs demonstrated enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) ability and high biocompatibility.
- Maintained the fluorescence (FL) and computed tomography (CT) imaging functions of GNCs for persistent osteosarcoma visualization.
- Exhibited excellent mechanical properties and pH/NIR-responsive Dox release, efficiently ablating osteosarcoma with reduced toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The lotus seedpod-inspired hydrogels provide a promising new platform for osteosarcoma treatment.
- This synergistic approach integrates imaging, PTT, and chemotherapy effectively.
- The developed system offers a potential next-generation therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
