Gold Nanorods-Based Theranostics for Simultaneous Fluorescence/Two-Photon Luminescence Imaging and Synergistic Phototherapies

Gold nanorods (GNRs) have shown great potential applications in cancer theranostics due to the unique phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance, which leads to strong electric fields on the surface and consequently enhances the absorption and scattering in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Indocyanine green (ICG), an amphipathic dye, is not only an excellent NIR imaging agent but also an ideal light absorber for laser-mediated photodynamic and photothermal therapy. In this study, in order to integrate the merits of GNRs and ICG in biomedical applications, we developed ICG conjugated silica-coated GNRs (GNR@SiO2-ICG) for cancer imaging and phototherapy. The covalent coupling strategy reduces the probability of leakage/desorption during the delivery. The as-prepared GNR@SiO2-ICG could serve as efficient probes to simultaneously enhance fluorescence (FL) imaging and two-photon luminescence (TPL) imaging.In vitroexperiments indicated that A375 cells could be killed through synergistic phototherapies effect of GNRs and ICG using single wavelength continuous-wave laser irradiation. Our results indicated that the synthesized GNR@SiO2-ICG are effective for simultaneously enhancing FL/TPL imaging and synergistic phototherapies.

Download Full-text

Gold Nanorods for Light-Based Lung Cancer Theranostics

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19113318 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 3318 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Oscar Knights ◽

James McLaughlan

Keyword(s):

Gold Nanorods ◽

Photothermal Therapy ◽

Continuous Wave ◽

Low Cost ◽

Laser System ◽

Controlled Synthesis ◽

Surface Plasmon Resonances ◽

Plasmon Resonances ◽

Theranostic Applications ◽

Cancer Theranostics

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have the potential to be used in photoacoustic (PA) imaging and plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) due to their unique optical properties, biocompatibility, controlled synthesis, and tuneable surface plasmon resonances (SPRs). Conventionally, continuous-wave (CW) lasers are used in PPTT partly due to their small size and low cost. However, if pulsed-wave (PW) lasers could be used to destroy tissue then combined theranostic applications, such as PA-guided PPTT, would be possible using the same laser system and AuNRs. In this study, we present the effects of AuNR size on PA response, PW-PPTT efficacy, and PA imaging in a tissue-mimicking phantom, as a necessary step in the development of AuNRs towards clinical use. At equivalent NP/mL, the PA signal intensity scaled with AuNR size, indicating that overall mass has an effect on PA response, and reinforcing the importance of efficient tumour targeting. Under PW illumination, all AuNRs showed toxicity at a laser fluence below the maximum permissible exposure to skin, with a maximum of 80% cell-death exhibited by the smallest AuNRs, strengthening the feasibility of PW-PPTT. The theranostic potential of PW lasers combined with AuNRs has been demonstrated for application in the lung.

Download Full-text

NIR-Responsive Lysosomotropic Phototrigger: ʽAIE + ESIPTʼ Active Naphthalene Based Single Component Photoresponsive Nanocarrier with Two-Photon Uncaging and Real-Time Monitoring Ability

10.33774/chemrxiv-2021-nftrb ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Biswajit Roy ◽

Rakesh Mengji ◽

Samrat Roy ◽

Bipul Pal ◽

Avijit Jana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Drug Release ◽

Real Time ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Single Component ◽

Photon Absorption ◽

Real Time Monitoring ◽

Two Photon ◽

Nir Light

In recent times, organelle-targeted drug delivery systems gained tremendous attention due to the site specific delivery of active drug molecules resulting in enhanced bioefficacy. In this context, the phototriggered drug delivery system (DDS) for releasing an active molecule is superior as it provides spatial and temporal control over the release. So far, near infrared (NIR) light responsive organelle targeted DDS has not yet been developed. Hence, we introduced a two-photon NIR-light responsive lysosome targeted ʽAIE + ESIPTʼ active single component DDS based on naphthalene chromophore. The Two-photon absorption cross-section of our DDS is 142 GM at 850 nm. The DDS was converted into pure organic nanoparticles for biological applications. Our nano-DDS is capable of selective targeting, AIE-luminogenic imaging, and drug release within the lysosome. In vitro studies using cancerous cell lines showed that our single component photoresponsive nanocarrier exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity and real-time monitoring ability of the drug release.

Download Full-text

Powering rotary molecular motors with low-intensity near-infrared light

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.abb6165 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (44) ◽

pp. eabb6165

Author(s):

Lukas Pfeifer ◽

Nong V. Hoang ◽

Maximilian Scherübl ◽

Maxim S. Pshenichnikov ◽

Ben L. Feringa

Keyword(s):

Smart Materials ◽

Molecular Motors ◽

Near Infrared ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Infrared Light ◽

Near Infrared Light ◽

Two Photon ◽

Low Intensity

Light-controlled artificial molecular machines hold tremendous potential to revolutionize molecular sciences as autonomous motion allows the design of smart materials and systems whose properties can respond, adapt, and be modified on command. One long-standing challenge toward future applicability has been the need to develop methods using low-energy, low-intensity, near-infrared light to power these nanomachines. Here, we describe a rotary molecular motor sensitized by a two-photon absorber, which efficiently operates under near-infrared light at intensities and wavelengths compatible with in vivo studies. Time-resolved spectroscopy was used to gain insight into the mechanism of energy transfer to the motor following initial two-photon excitation. Our results offer prospects toward in vitro and in vivo applications of artificial molecular motors.

Download Full-text

A near-infrared and two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for sulfur dioxide derivatives detection and its applications in vitro and in vivo

Sensors and Actuators B Chemical ◽

10.1016/j.snb.2019.01.170 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 288 ◽

pp. 519-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Yuping Zhao ◽

Yanyan Ma ◽

Weiying Lin

Keyword(s):

Sulfur Dioxide ◽

Fluorescent Probe ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Stokes Shift ◽

Large Stokes Shift ◽

Two Photon ◽

Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

Download Full-text

Highly Efficient Photosensitizers with Far-Red/Near-Infrared Aggregation-Induced Emission for In Vitro and In Vivo Cancer Theranostics

Advanced Materials ◽

10.1002/adma.201802105 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (39) ◽

pp. 1802105 ◽

Cited By ~ 95

Author(s):

Dong Wang ◽

Michelle M. S. Lee ◽

Guogang Shan ◽

Ryan T. K. Kwok ◽

Jacky W. Y. Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Near Infrared ◽

Aggregation Induced Emission ◽

Highly Efficient ◽

Cancer Theranostics

Download Full-text

Individual Split Au Square Ring for Surface Enhanced Raman and Hyper-Raman Scattering

10.21203/rs.3.rs-922355/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

RuXin ZHang ◽

Chaoling Du ◽

Lu Sun ◽

Wang XuRong ◽

Xiang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Raman Scattering ◽

Electric Fields ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Scattered Light ◽

Localized Surface Plasmon ◽

Great Promise ◽

Sensitivity Factor ◽

Surface Enhanced ◽

Surface Enhanced Raman ◽

Potential Applications

Abstract In this paper, individual split Au square rings were numerically proposed as novel substrates for surface enhanced Raman and hyper-Raman scattering (SERS and SEHRS) simultaneously. The peak wavelengths of their localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) are revealed to fall in the near-infrared and visible light region, respectively, which are able to be finely tuned to match well with the wavelengths of the incident laser and hyper Raman scattered light beams. Their SEHRS and SERS performances along with electromagnetic (EM) field distributions are numerically investigated by finite element method. With the enhancement of near electric-fields generated by LSPRs, the maximum SEHRS and SERS enhancement factors are demonstrated to reach 1.22×1012 and 108, respectively. Meanwhile, the corresponding SERS based refractive-index (RI) sensitivity factor reaches as high as 258nm/RIU and 893nm/RIU, at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, respectively. The proposed structure is believed to hold great promise both for developing SEHRS, SERS and SERS based RI sensing substrates, which shows strong potential applications in nano sensing and enhanced Raman scattering.

Download Full-text

Improving Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy of Lung Cancer Cells with Anti-EGFR Targeted Gold Nanorods

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10071307 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1307 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oscar Knights ◽

Steven Freear ◽

James R. McLaughlan

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Gold Nanorods ◽

Photothermal Therapy ◽

Continuous Wave ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Lung Cancer Cells ◽

Heat Conducting

Lung cancer is a particularly difficult form of cancer to diagnose and treat, due largely to the inaccessibility of tumours and the limited available treatment options. The development of plasmonic gold nanoparticles has led to their potential use in a large range of disciplines, and they have shown promise for applications in this area. The ability to functionalise these nanoparticles to target to specific cancer types, when combined with minimally invasive therapies such as photothermal therapy, could improve long-term outcomes for lung cancer patients. Conventionally, continuous wave lasers are used to generate bulk heating enhanced by gold nanorods that have accumulated in the target region. However, there are potential negative side-effects of heat-induced cell death, such as the risk of damage to healthy tissue due to heat conducting to the surrounding environment, and the development of heat and drug resistance. In this study, the use of pulsed lasers for photothermal therapy was investigated and compared with continuous wave lasers for gold nanorods with a surface plasmon resonance at 850 nm, which were functionalised with anti-EGFR antibodies. Photothermal therapy was performed with both laser systems, on lung cancer cells (A549) in vitro populations incubated with untargeted and targeted nanorods. It was shown that the combination of pulse wave laser illumination of targeted nanoparticles produced a reduction of 93 % ± 13 % in the cell viability compared with control exposures, which demonstrates a possible application for minimally invasive therapies for lung cancer.

Download Full-text

Synthesis of Gold Nanorods by Using H2O2 as the Weak Reducer in a Binary Surfactant Mixture

Journal of Nano Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/jnanor.65.157 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 ◽

pp. 157-164

Author(s):

Shu Ting Zhang ◽

Zhi Ang Liu ◽

Ming Yue Hu ◽

Sulan Ma ◽

Min Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Gold Nanorods ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Surfactant Mixture ◽

Growth Technique ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Wide Range ◽

Potential Applications

A new seed-mediated growth technique for synthesizing gold nanorods (NRs) by using H2O2 as the weak reducer in the presence of a binary surfactant mixture is reported. Gold NRs prepared at different amounts of H2O2 and the gold seeds solution were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and visible–near infrared spectroscopy. Gold NRs with tunable aspect ratio from 4.5 to 7 can be obtained and the corresponding longitudinal plasmonic wavelength of the produced gold NRs are tunable from 810 to 1140 nm. This method provides a new pathway for synthesis of gold NRs with a wide range of longitudinal plasmonic peaks, which have potential applications in optoelectronics and biomedicine.

Download Full-text

A versatile, multi-laser twin-microscope system for light-sheet imaging

10.1101/801688 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kevin Keomanee-Dizon ◽

Scott E. Fraser ◽

Thai V. Truong

Keyword(s):

Near Infrared ◽

Continuous Wave ◽

Light Sheet ◽

Biological Investigation ◽

Two Photon ◽

Light Sheet Microscopy ◽

Photon Excitation ◽

Deep Imaging ◽

Visible Lasers ◽

Flexible Imaging

Light-sheet microscopy offers faster imaging and reduced phototoxicity in comparison to conventional point-scanning microscopy, making it a preferred technique for imaging biological dynamics for durations of hours or days. Such extended imaging sessions pose a challenge, as it reduces the number of specimens that can be imaged in a given day. Here we present an instrument, the flex-SPIM, that combines two independently controlled light-sheet microscope-twins, built so that they can share an ultrafast near-infrared laser and a bank of continuous-wave visible lasers, increasing throughput and decreasing cost. To permit a wide variety of specimens to be imaged, each microscope-twin provides flexible imaging parameters, including (i) operation in one-photon and/or two-photon excitation modes, (ii) delivery of one to three light-sheets via a trio of orthogonal excitation arms, (iii) sub-micron to micron imaging resolution, (iv) multicolor compatibility, and (v) upright and/or inverted detection geometry. We offer a detailed description of the flex-SPIM design to aid instrument builders who wish to construct and use similar systems. We demonstrate the instrument’s versatility for biological investigation by performing fast imaging of the beating heart in an intact zebrafish embryo, deep imaging of thick patient-derived tumor organoids, and gentle whole-brain imaging of neural activity in behaving larval zebrafish.

Download Full-text