title: A targeted drug delivery system based on folic acid-functionalized upconversion luminescent nanoparticles.
abstract: In this paper, multifunctional upconversion luminescent NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles with excellent hollow mesoporous structure were first fabricated. The effects of various reaction conditions on the morphology and size of the as-prepared samples were investigated in detail and Ostwald ripening effect was adapted to explain the formation mechanism of the HMUCNPs. Then, folic acid, a well-known ligand for the selective targeting of drugs into tumor cells, was conjugated to the surface of the hollow mesoporous structured upconversion luminescent nanoparticles (HMUCNPs) via amide reaction for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs so as to enhance the therapeutic efficacy. The properties were extensively studied, which indicated the obtained samples showed a typical hollow mesoporous structure and excellent upconversion luminescence that were useful for cell imaging and drug delivery. Drug storage/release properties were demonstrated to be pH responsive, in which the drug release might be beneficial at the reduced pH in certain cancerous tissues for targeted release and controlled therapy at the pathological sites. Meanwhile, DOX-NaYF4:Yb,Er-FA HMUCNPs exhibited greater cytotoxicity than free doxorubicin hydrochloride because folic acid-conjugated HMUCNPs can be specifically taken up by FR-positive KB cells via a receptor-mediated endocytosis. Therefore, the folic acid-functionalized nanoparticles combining upconversion luminescent property and hollow mesoporous structure have potential for simultaneous targeted anticancer drug delivery and cell imaging.
authors.affiliation: 1 College of Biology Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Shangluo University, Shangluo, PR China.
authors.forename: Xuhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: 2 School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, PR China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: 1 College of Biology Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Shangluo University, Shangluo, PR China.|2 School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, PR China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: 1 College of Biology Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Shangluo University, Shangluo, PR China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: 1 College of Biology Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Shangluo University, Shangluo, PR China.
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 3 Shenzhen Neptunus Medical Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, PR China.
authors.forename: Ruyi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: 4 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000072283:A549 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D002470:Cell Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007624:KB Cells; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements / Q000737:chemistry*; D049449:Luminescence; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Self-sacrificing templates; drug delivery; folic acid functionalized; hollow mesoporous structure; upconversion luminescence