Molecular-Based Nanoplatform Leads to the Formation of a Self-Indicating Responsive Drug Delivery System

We report the design and biological evaluation of a nanoplatform featuring controllable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior. The free rotation of benzene rings (4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl) benzaldehyde) largely suppresses fluorescence in the pure organic phase. However, water-induced molecular aggregation enhances the fluorescence signal. The delivery system follows the membrane-cytoplasm-nucleus route and it leads to apoptosis in two cancer cells (U937 cells and Hela cells). The AIE moiety accumulates in the cytoplasm, emitting a bright-blue signal, but the anticancer drug doxorubicin selectively targets the nucleus with unique red emission. The current noninvasive method with DOX-triggered apoptosis holds promise for tumor diagnosis and real-time imaging.