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Bioluminescence-initiated photodynamic therapy bridged on high-luminescent carbon dots-conjugated protoporphyrin IX

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Abstract

Various external lights and improved illumination methods, such as near-infrared light, X-ray, and two-photon excitation, have been tried to enhance the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in deep-seated tumors. However, the penetration depth of light required for photosensitizers’ (PSs) activation still remains a major problem in clinic. Herein, bioluminescence (BLS), a kind of inner light induced from the firefly luciferase, is attempted to activate the treatment in deep lesions. To obtain a better therapeutic effect, carbon dots (CDs) with an excitation-independent photoluminescence are prepared by a facile hydrothermal method, and the as-prepared CDs are designed to conjugate protoporphyrin IX (PIX) to construct the PDT agents (CDs-PIX). Results indicate the nano-carrier of CDs enhances the limitations of PIX and bridges the excitation between BLS and PIX. The BLS-induced PDT system can produce the singlet oxygen and provide a certain efficient therapy (about 60%) in SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process, which demonstrates the firefly BLS has already functioned in some extent, but not perfect. CDs-PIX is an excellent PS for PDT applications, but its corresponding excitation inner light source needs further studies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support for this work from the Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 51502345) and Tianjin Sciences Foundation (16JCQNJC03100).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Support Technology, Academy of Military Sciences, Tianjin, 300161, People’s Republic of China

    Kun Yang, Chunlai Wang, Changjun Liu, Sheng Ding, Feng Tian & Fan Li

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  1. Kun Yang
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  2. Chunlai Wang
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  3. Changjun Liu
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  4. Sheng Ding
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  5. Feng Tian
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  6. Fan Li
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Correspondence to Feng Tian or Fan Li.

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Yang, K., Wang, C., Liu, C. et al. Bioluminescence-initiated photodynamic therapy bridged on high-luminescent carbon dots-conjugated protoporphyrin IX. J Mater Sci 54, 3383–3391 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-3038-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-3038-1

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