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Published on: August 30, 2017
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Near-Infrared Light-Triggered In Situ Construction of 3D "Fishing Net" Polymer Networks Using Upconversion
Mingjie Jia1, Yishuo Sun2, Weiwei Jiang1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China.
ACS Nano
|June 20, 2025
Summary
A novel near-infrared light-driven strategy uses upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to construct 3D polymer networks within tumor cells for precise cancer therapy, overcoming limitations of current methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Precision tumor therapy requires effective methods for tumor cell capture, localization, and killing.
- Current 3D polymer network assembly in vivo is limited by insufficient polymerization stimuli and UV/visible light's phototoxicity and poor tissue penetration.
- Developing advanced materials for localized in situ polymerization is crucial for overcoming these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a near-infrared (NIR) light-driven strategy for precise, localized in situ polymerization within tumor cells.
- To enhance the UV emission of thulium-doped core-shell nanoparticles (UCNPs) for efficient photoinitiated radical polymerization.
- To create a 3D polymer network nanoplatform for tumor cell capture, localization, and killing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized thulium-doped core-shell upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to convert NIR (980 nm) light to UV wavelengths (345 and 360 nm).
- Optimized the core-shell growth process to significantly enhance UV emission intensities of UCNPs (DHU-UCNPs-1).
- Formed an inorganic-polymer hybridized 3D fibrous network via in situ polymerization triggered by NIR light.
Main Results:
- Achieved 113.7-fold and 84.8-fold enhancement in UV emission at 345 and 360 nm for DHU-UCNPs-1 compared to the core.
- The resulting 3D polymer network disrupted actin dynamics, impeded cell migration, and compromised mitochondrial function.
- Demonstrated collective suppression of tumor growth and metastasis through the developed nanoplatform.
Conclusions:
- The NIR light-driven UCNP strategy enables precise in situ 3D polymer network assembly with deep-tissue accessibility.
- The developed nanoplatform effectively suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by disrupting cellular functions.
- This approach offers a promising paradigm for advanced tumor therapy and broader applications of UCNPs.
