title: Nano-formulation of a photosensitizer using a DNA tetrahedron and its potential for in vivo photodynamic therapy.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cytotoxic treatment using singlet oxygen produced by photosensitizers. Approved porphyrinoid PDT still suffers from a lack of robust production methods and low water solubility. Methylene blue (MB) is a good candidate for the PDT drug, because the dye is an effective photosensitizer, can be easily synthesized, and is already being used in other clinical fields. However, its poor cell/tissue penetration and low stability against the reducible biological conditions should be addressed by using a proper delivery vehicle. Here, we employed a DNA tetrahedron, a self-assembled nanostructure as the carrier for intracellular delivery of MB by taking advantage of the DNA binding property of the photosensitizer and demonstrated photo-induced cytotoxicity by the MB delivered by the DNA nanocarrier. We also evaluated the PDT potency of the MB-loaded DNA nanoconstruct in vivo tumor model to suppress tumor growth.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea. drahn@kist.re.kr.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Ran
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Duhee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Dae-Ro
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D026082:Singlet Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D026082:Singlet Oxygen; D004247:DNA; D008751:Methylene Blue