A theranostic saponin nano-assembly based on FRET of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer and photon up-conversion nanoparticles.

Hao FuYongkang HuangHongguang LuJinxia AnDe-E LiuYongxin ZhangQixian Chen Hui Gao

Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. B (2020)

A photodynamic aggregation-induced emissive (AIE) fluorophore, characterized by near-infrared (NIR) emission, was created based on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor of appreciable NIR up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and acceptor of immense fluorescence emissive AIEgen. Hence, the entrapment of the FRET couple into an amphiphilic saponin-based nanoscaled self-assembly demonstrated appealing theranostic functions in producing immense fluorescence emission and cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Keyphrases

energy transfer
photodynamic therapy
fluorescent probe
reactive oxygen species
fluorescence imaging
living cells
quantum dots
dna damage
cell death
drug release
solid state
single molecule
cancer therapy
walled carbon nanotubes