title: Up-conversion cell imaging and pH-induced thermally controlled drug release from NaYF4/Yb3+/Er3+@hydrogel core-shell hybrid microspheres.
abstract: In this study, we report a new controlled release system based on up-conversion luminescent microspheres of NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Er(3+) coated with the smart hydrogel poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(methacrylic acid)] (P(NIPAM-co-MAA)) (prepared using 5 mol % of MAA) shell. The hybrid microspheres show bright up-conversion fluorescence under 980 nm laser excitation, and turbidity measurements show that the low critical solution temperature of the polymer shell is thermo- and pH-dependent. We have exploited the hybrid microspheres as carriers for Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) due to its stimuli-responsive property as well as good biocompatibility via MTT assay. It is found that the drug release behavior is pH-triggered thermally sensitive. Changing the pH to mildly acidic condition at physiological temperature deforms the structure of the shell, causing the release of a large number of DOX from the microspheres. The drug-loaded microspheres exhibit an obvious cytotoxic effect on SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. The endocytosis process of drug-loaded microspheres is observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and up-conversion luminescence microscopy. Meanwhile, the as-prepared NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Er(3+)@SiO(2)@P(NIPAM-co-MAA) microspheres can be used as a luminescent probe for cell imaging. In addition, the extent of drug release can be monitored by the change of up-conversion emission intensity. These pH-induced thermally controlled drug release systems have potential to be used for in vivo bioimaging and cancer therapy by the pH of the microenvironment changing from 7.4 (normal physiological environment) to acidic microenvironments (such as endosome and lysosome compartments) owing to endocytosis.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
authors.forename: Yunlu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Ping'an
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ziyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Xiaojiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhiyao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Chunxia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D004871:Erbium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008863:Microspheres; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D015018:Ytterbium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C525362:sodium yttriumtetrafluoride; C085085:poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid); D015019:Yttrium; D004871:Erbium; D004317:Doxorubicin; D015018:Ytterbium; D005459:Fluorides