Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Phthalocyanine with Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Lipid Composite Microspheres for Thermo-Responsive Release and Photodynamic Therapy

Materials

Jiaojiao Liu¹  Jingliang Li²  Zexin Zhang¹  Yuyan Weng¹  Gaojian Chen¹  Bing Yuan¹  Kai Yang¹ 

[1] Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China; E-Mails:;Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; E-Mail:

关键词: phthalocyanine;    phospholipid;    composite microsphere;    controlled release;    photodynamic therapy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma7053481

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Phthalocyanine (Pc) is a type of promising sensitizer molecules for photodynamic therapy (PDT), but its hydrophobicity substantially prevents its applications. In this study, we efficiently encapsulate Pc into poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microgel particles, without or with lipid decoration (i.e., Pc@pNIPAM or Pc@pNIPAM/lipid), to improve its water solubility and prevent aggregation in aqueous medium. The incorporation of lipid molecules significantly enhances the Pc loading efficiency of pNIPAM. These Pc@pNIPAM and Pc@pNIPAM/lipid composite microspheres show thermo-triggered release of Pc and/or lipid due to the phase transition of pNIPAM. Furthermore, in the in vitro experiments, these composite particles work as drug carriers for the hydrophobic Pc to be internalized into HeLa cells. After internalization, the particles show efficient fluorescent imaging and PDT effect. Our work demonstrates promising candidates in promoting the use of hydrophobic drugs including photosensitizers in tumor therapies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland