title: Enhanced plasmonic resonance energy transfer in mesoporous silica-encased gold nanorod for two-photon-activated photodynamic therapy.
abstract: The unique optical properties of gold nanorods (GNRs) have recently drawn considerable interest from those working in in vivo biomolecular sensing and bioimaging. Especially appealing in these applications is the plasmon-enhanced photoluminescence of GNRs induced by two-photon excitation at infrared wavelengths, owing to the significant penetration depth of infrared light in tissue. Unfortunately, many studies have also shown that often the intensity of pulsed coherent irradiation of GNRs needed results in irreversible deformation of GNRs, greatly reducing their two-photon luminescence (TPL) emission intensity. In this work we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of mesoporous silica-encased gold nanorods (MS-GNRs) that incorporate photosensitizers (PSs) for two-photon-activated photodynamic therapy (TPA-PDT). The PSs, doped into the nano-channels of the mesoporous silica shell, can be efficiently excited via intra-particle plasmonic resonance energy transfer from the encased two-photon excited gold nanorod and further generates cytotoxic singlet oxygen for cancer eradication. In addition, due to the mechanical support provided by encapsulating mesoporous silica matrix against thermal deformation, the two-photon luminescence stability of GNRs was significantly improved; after 100 seconds of 800 nm repetitive laser pulse with the 30 times higher than average power for imaging acquisition, MS-GNR luminescence intensity exhibited ~260% better resistance to deformation than that of the uncoated gold nanorods. These results strongly suggest that MS-GNRs with embedded PSs might provide a promising photodynamic therapy for the treatment of deeply situated cancers via plasmonic resonance energy transfer.
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan. ; 2. Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
authors: Nai-Tzu
authors: NT
authors: Chen
authors: 2. Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
authors: Kuo-Chun
authors: KC
authors: Tang
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Fang
authors: MF
authors: Chung
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan.
authors: Shih-Hsun
authors: SH
authors: Cheng
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan.
authors: Ching-Mao
authors: CM
authors: Huang
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan.
authors: Chia-Hui
authors: CH
authors: Chu
authors: 2. Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
authors: Pi-Tai
authors: PT
authors: Chou
authors: 3. Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, 60637, USA.
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Souris
authors: 3. Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, 60637, USA.
authors: Chin-Tu
authors: CT
authors: Chen
authors: 2. Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
authors: Chung-Yuan
authors: CY
authors: Mou
authors: 1. Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (I-BEN), National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan.
authors: Leu-Wei
authors: LW
authors: Lo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004735:Energy Transfer; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D008297:Male; D008819:Mice, Nude; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006046:Gold; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Gold nanorods; photodynamic therapy; plasmonic resonance energy transfer; surface plasmon resonance; two-photon luminescence.