Abstract
Biodegradable nanostructures displaying aggregation-induced emission (AIE) are desirable from a biomedical point of view, due to the advantageous features of loading capacity, emission brightness, and fluorescence stability. Herein, biodegradable polymers comprising poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly(caprolactone-gradient-trimethylene carbonate) (PEG-P(CLgTMC)), with tetraphenylethylene pyridinium-TMC (PAIE) side chains have been developed, which self-assembled into well-defined polymersomes. The resultant AIEgenic polymersomes are intrinsically fluorescent delivery vehicles. The presence of the pyridinium moiety endows the polymersomes with mitochondrial targeting ability, which improves the efficiency of co-encapsulated photosensitizers and improves therapeutic index against cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. This contribution showcases the ability to engineer AIEgenic polymersomes with structure inherent fluorescence and targeting capacity for enhanced photodynamic therapy.
Keywords:
aggregation-induced emission; biodegradable polymersomes; mitochondria targeting; photo-dynamic therapy; polycarbonates.
© 2021 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
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Antineoplastic Agents / radiation effects
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Benzylidene Compounds / chemical synthesis
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Benzylidene Compounds / pharmacology
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Benzylidene Compounds / radiation effects
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Biodegradable Plastics / chemical synthesis
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Biodegradable Plastics / pharmacology*
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Biodegradable Plastics / radiation effects
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Boron Compounds / chemical synthesis
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Boron Compounds / pharmacology
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Boron Compounds / radiation effects
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Fluorescent Dyes / chemical synthesis
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Fluorescent Dyes / pharmacology*
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Fluorescent Dyes / radiation effects
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Humans
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Light
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Photosensitizing Agents / chemical synthesis
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Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology*
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Photosensitizing Agents / radiation effects
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Polyesters / chemical synthesis
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Polyesters / pharmacology*
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Polyesters / radiation effects
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Polyethylene Glycols / chemical synthesis
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Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
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Polyethylene Glycols / radiation effects
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Pyridinium Compounds / chemical synthesis
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Pyridinium Compounds / pharmacology
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Pyridinium Compounds / radiation effects
Substances
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4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Benzylidene Compounds
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Biodegradable Plastics
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Boron Compounds
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Photosensitizing Agents
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Polyesters
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Pyridinium Compounds
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Polyethylene Glycols