Nanoparticles Selectively Regulate the Generation and Scavenging of Multiple Reactive Oxygen Species at Designated...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) faces challenges including oxygen dependency, limited reactive oxygen species (ROS) diversity, and collateral damage.
• Existing PDT strategies struggle with selectivity and efficacy due to the specific properties of different ROS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) that overcomes oxygen dependency and generates diverse ROS.
• To investigate the unique ROS generation and scavenging properties of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBs) under near-infrared light activation.
• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PB-based PDT in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Near-infrared-activated Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBs) were synthesized and characterized.
• ROS generation (hydroxyl radicals, hydroperoxyl radicals, singlet oxygen) was studied in an oxygen-independent pathway.
• PB's ROS scavenging capabilities and phototoxicity in normal tissues were assessed.
• Therapeutic efficacy was validated using an infected wound murine model.

Main Results:

• PBs generated hydroxyl radicals, hydroperoxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen independently of oxygen.
• PBs demonstrated the ability to scavenge ROS, maintaining redox homeostasis with negligible phototoxicity.
• Light irradiation allowed PBs to selectively regulate ROS generation and scavenging.
• PB-based PDT achieved significant therapeutic efficacy and accelerated healing in a murine wound model.

Conclusions:

• Prussian blue nanoparticles represent a novel class of photosensitizers for oxygen-independent PDT.
• PB-based PDT overcomes key limitations of traditional PDT, offering enhanced ROS diversity and selectivity.
• This discovery advances the understanding of PDT and paves the way for next-generation therapeutic strategies.