Terbium-Rose Bengal Coordination Nanocrystals-Induced ROS Production under Low-Dose X-rays in Cultured Cancer Cells...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiotherapy

Background:

• X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) offers targeted cancer treatment.
• Developing efficient scintillators (Sc) and photosensitizers (Ps) is crucial for low-dose X-PDT.
• Reducing energy loss between components enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize novel terbium (Tb)-rose bengal (RB) coordination nanocrystals (T-RBNs).
• To investigate the efficiency of T-RBNs in generating ROS under X-ray irradiation.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of T-RBNs for X-PDT in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Solvothermal synthesis of T-RBNs with a specific [RB]/[Tb] molar ratio.
• Characterization of T-RBNs size, crystallinity, and chemical coordination using techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
• Assessment of ROS production (singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals) under low-dose X-ray irradiation (0.5 Gy).
• In vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies using 4T1-luc cancer cells.
• Evaluation of DNA damage via phosphorylated γ-H2AX staining and cell death pathways (apoptosis/necrosis).

Main Results:

• T-RBNs were successfully synthesized with controlled size (6.8 ± 1.2 nm) and crystalline properties.
• T-RBNs demonstrated significantly enhanced ROS production (∼8-fold higher than bare RB).
• T-RBNs showed low cytotoxicity and efficient internalization into 4T1-luc cells.
• X-ray irradiation of T-RBNs induced significant DNA double-strand damage and >70% cancer cell death.
• T-RBNs exhibited superior ROS generation compared to inorganic nanoparticle controls.

Conclusions:

• T-RBNs serve as an effective Sc/Ps platform for X-PDT.
• The developed T-RBNs enhance ROS production efficiency, crucial for low-dose X-PDT.
• T-RBNs show significant potential for advanced cancer therapy by inducing targeted cancer cell death.