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Aggregation-Induced-Emission Luminogens Functionalized MXene Nanosheets for Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel in
Yingni Xu1, Fei Wang1, Wenfang Liu2
1Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Choroidal melanoma is a prevalent intraocular malignant tumor with high mortality rate and liver metastases, related to the lack of sensitive and noninvasive therapeutic modalities. To address the imaging diagnostics and therapeutic predicaments for choroidal melanoma, a novel nanoplatform is developed through the integration of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer with two-dimensional MXene nanosheets (MX@PEG-MeoTTPy). This nanoplatform simultaneously exhibits distinctive properties and multiple functions including exceptional biocompatibility, efficient type I reactive oxygen species generation, high-quality fluorescence bioimaging, mild near-infrared (NIR) photothermal performance and superior cellular uptake. Furthermore, a thermosensitive hydrogel composite is engineered to encapsulate the nanosheets, enabling controlled and sustained release over 72 h via NIR irradiation and tumor microenvironment-induced gel-sol transition. The nanoplatform leverages synergistic mild photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, leading to precise and sustained tumor ablation through pyroptosis-mediated cell death. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validate that the nanosystem serves as an effective theranostic agent for dual-modal imaging-guided synergistic therapy, offering a multifaceted therapeutic strategy for intraocular tumors and showing significant potential for clinical application in choroidal melanoma therapy.
Insights
A novel nanoplatform combines photosensitizers and MXene nanosheets for choroidal melanoma. This theranostic agent enables dual-modal imaging-guided therapy, offering a promising strategy for intraocular tumors.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Choroidal melanoma is a dangerous intraocular tumor lacking effective noninvasive treatments.
- Current diagnostic and therapeutic methods for choroidal melanoma are insufficient, leading to high mortality rates and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanoplatform for improved imaging diagnostics and therapy of choroidal melanoma.
- To create a theranostic agent integrating fluorescence bioimaging and synergistic photothermal/photodynamic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Integration of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer with two-dimensional MXene nanosheets (MX@PEG-MeoTTPy).
- Encapsulation of the nanoplatform within a thermosensitive hydrogel for controlled release.
- Utilizing near-infrared (NIR) irradiation and tumor microenvironment triggers for release and therapy activation.
- Investigating synergistic mild photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for tumor ablation via pyroptosis.
Main Results:
- The MX@PEG-MeoTTPy nanoplatform demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, efficient reactive oxygen species generation, high-quality fluorescence imaging, and mild photothermal performance.
- Controlled and sustained release of the nanoplatform was achieved over 72 hours.
- Synergistic PTT and PDT effectively induced tumor ablation through pyroptosis-mediated cell death in both in vitro and in vivo studies.
- The nanosystem functioned as an effective theranostic agent for dual-modal imaging-guided therapy.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoplatform is a potent theranostic agent for choroidal melanoma, offering precise imaging and synergistic therapy.
- This approach provides a multifaceted therapeutic strategy with significant potential for clinical application in treating intraocular tumors.
