Ferrocene Functionalized Upconversion Nanoparticle Nanosystem with Efficient Near-Infrared-Light-Promoted Fenton-Like Reaction for Tumor Growth Suppression
Jimin Zhou, Xiangfeng Zhu, Qianya Cheng, Yuxuan Wang, Ruiqi Wang, Xingwen Cheng, Jiajia Xu, Kuntang Liu, Lin Li, Xueming Li, Ming‐Fang He, Jian Wang, Heng Xu, Su Jing, Ling Huang
Abstract
By taking advantage of the efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between near-infrared (NIR)-responsive lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and Fenton reagent ferrocenyl compounds (Fc), a series of Fc-UCNPs was designed by functionalizing NaYF4:Yb,Tm nanoparticles with Fc1–Fc5 via surface-coordination chemistry. Fc-UCNP-Lipo nanosystems were then constructed by encapsulating Fc-UCNP inside liposomes for efficient delivery. Fc-UCNP can effectively release ·OH via a NIR-promoted Fenton-like reaction. In vitro and in vivo studies of Fc1-UCNP-Lipo confirmed the preferential accumulation in a tumor site followed by an enhanced uptake of cancer cells. After cellular internalization, the released Fc1-UCNP can effectively promote ·OH generation for tumor growth suppression. Such a Fc1-UCNP-Lipo nanosystem exhibits advantages such as easy fabrication, low drug dosage, and no ferrous ion release.