Polydopamine-coated i-motif DNA/Gold nanoplatforms for synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy
Bo Chen, Mei Lan, Rangrang Fan, Di Chuan, Yangmei Ren, Min Mu, Haifeng Chen, Bingwen Zou, Gang Guo
Abstract
The combination of photothermal therapy with chemotherapy has gradually developed into promising cancer therapy. Here, a synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy nanoplatform based on polydopamine (PDA)-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were facilely achieved via the in situ polymerization of dopamine (DA) on the surface of AuNPs. This nanoplatform exhibited augmented photothermal conversion efficiency and enhanced colloidal stability in comparison with uncoated PDA shell AuNPs. The i-motif DNA nanostructure was assembled on PDA-coated AuNPs, which could be transformed into a C-quadruplex structure under an acidic environment, showing a characteristic pH response. The PDA shell served as a linker between the AuNPs and the i-motif DNA nanostructure. To enhance the specific cellular uptake, the AS1411 aptamer was introduced to the DNA nanostructure employed as a targeting ligand. In addition, Dox-loaded NPs ([email protected]) showed the pH/photothermal-responsive release of Dox. The photothermal effect of [email protected] elicited excellent photothermal performance and efficient cancer cell inhibition under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Overall, these results demonstrate that the [email protected] nanoplatform shows great potential in synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy.