<p>A pH-Responsive System Based on Fluorescence Enhanced Gold Nanoparticles for Renal Targeting Drug Delivery and Fibrosis Therapy</p>
Xuandi Lai, Xinran Geng, Lishan Tan, Jianqiang Hu, Shubin Wang
Abstract
Background: Stimuli-responsive gold nano-assemblies have attracted attention as drug delivery systems in the biomedical field. However, there are challenges achieving targeted delivery and controllable drug release for specific diseases. Materials and Methods: In this study, a glutathione (GSH)-modified fluorescent gold nanoparticle termed AuLA-GSH was prepared and a Co 2+ -induced self-assembly drug delivery platform termed AuLA-GSH-Co was constructed. Both the pH-responsive character and drug loading behavior of AuLA-GSH-Co were studied in vitro. Kidney-targeting capability was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the anti-fibrosis efficiency of AuLA-GSH-Co in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was explored. Results: AuLA-GSH-Co was sensitive to pH changes and released Co 2+ in acidic conditions, allowing it to have controllable drug release abilities. AuLA-GSH-Co was found to improve cellular uptake of Co 2+ ions compared to CoCl 2 in vitro. AuLA-GSH exhibited specific renal targeting and prolonged renal retention time with low non-specific accumulation in vivo. Moreover, the anti-fibrosis efficiency of AuLA-GSH-Co was higher compared to CoCl 2 in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Conclusion: AuLA-GSH-Co could greatly enhance drug delivery efficiency with renal targeting capability and obviously relieve renal fibrosis, providing a promising strategy for renal fibrosis therapy. Keywords: gold nanoparticles, self-assembly, pH sensitivity, drug delivery, renal fibrosis