Dual-stimuli responsive nanoparticles (UCNP-CD@APP) assembled by host-guest interaction for drug delivery

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2018-01, Vol.537, p.446-451
• Main Authors: Hao, Weiju, Liu, Danyang, Wang, Yizhou, Han, Xia, Xu, Shouhong, Liu, Honglai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drug delivery; Host-guest; pH-sensitive; Photo-trigger; UCNPs
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.10.038

[Display omitted] In this paper, dual-sensitive nanoparticles with pH- and photo- responsibility were prepared through host-guest interaction. Self-synthesized copolymer azobenzene -poly-2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate – methoxypolyethylene glycols (AZO-PDPAn-PEG45, APP) acted as a guest and inserted into the host cyclodextrins (β-CD) automatically, which had been grafted onto the surface of upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP-CD). The insertion of APP was reversibly due to the alternating cis-trans isomerism of AZO under UV and Vis light, which produced simultaneously by UCNP when irradiated by near-infrared (NIR, 980nm). And, the PDPA block provided a pH sensitive “lock” for releasing cargos. The self-assembled UCNP-CD@APPs were tried to incorporate anti-cancer drug DOX and were proved to release DOX controllably under stimulus of pH and NIR. During the whole process, the reversible isomerism behavior of AZO acted as a ‘perpetual stirrer’ resulting in a quick release. The UCNP-CD@APP nanoparticles displayed good biocompatibility via MTT assay. Meanwhile, the DOX loaded in UCNP-CD@APP exhibited an obvious cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells than free DOX.