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ROS-producing nanomaterial engineered from Cu(I) complexes with P2N2-ligands for cancer cells treating
Bulat A Faizullin1, Irina R Dayanova2, Alexey V Kurenkov2
1Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov Str., Kazan, Russia, 420088. bulat_fayzullin95@mail.ru.
Discover Nano
|October 31, 2023
Summary
Novel copper(I) nanoparticles (NPs) with cyclic P2N2-ligands visualize cancer cell entry via luminescence and treat cells through enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These stable NPs show reduced cytotoxicity and targeted anticancer effects.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Development of advanced nanomaterials for theranostics remains a key challenge.
- Copper(I) complexes offer potential due to their unique electronic and catalytic properties.
- Designing stable and biocompatible nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) based on Cu(I) complexes with P2N2-ligands.
- To evaluate the NPs' ability to visualize cancer cell internalization using luminescence.
- To assess the NPs' therapeutic potential through self-enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and anticancer activity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Cu(I) complexes with cyclic P2N2-ligands and their assembly into core-shell nanoparticles.
- Non-covalent modification with F-127 triblock copolymer for colloidal stability.
- Cellular uptake studies using blue luminescence imaging (approx. 450 nm).
- Assessment of ROS generation via electron spin resonance (ESR) and fluorescence techniques.
- Cytotoxicity assays on normal and cancer cell lines (including HuTu 80).
Main Results:
- Stable, luminescent core-shell nanoparticles were successfully fabricated.
- NPs demonstrated efficient internalization into cancer and normal cells, visualized by blue luminescence.
- NPs exhibited significantly lower cytotoxicity compared to molecular complexes, correlating with NP stability.
- Demonstrated self-enhanced and H2O2-induced ROS generation both in solution and intracellularly.
- Anticancer specificity towards HuTu 80 cells was observed, linked to intracellular ROS and mitochondrial localization.
Conclusions:
- The developed Cu(I)-based core-shell NPs are promising theranostic agents.
- Their luminescence enables cell entry visualization, while ROS generation offers a therapeutic mechanism.
- Optimized NP structure and stability contribute to reduced off-target toxicity and enhanced anticancer efficacy.
