Polymeric nanoparticles with a thermoresponsive shell loaded with fluorescent molecules allow for thermally enhanced fluorescence imaging and singlet oxygen generation.

ABSTRACT: A thermosensitive polymeric nanoformulation (NF) was fabricated for thermally enhanced near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging (FLI). It comprised core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) with a polystyrene core and a thermosensitive shell of a co-polymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylamide [poly(NIPAM-co-AA)], which underwent a reversible conformational transition at 38-40 °C (corresponding to a lower critical solution temperature, LCST), leading to a reversible shrinkage of NPs from ∼250 nm to ∼140 nm for temperatures above LCST. The NIR dye 3782SL or photosensitizer HPPH were loaded to the NP shells. While the fluorescence of 3782SL and HPPH was quenched in water, it recovered in the NPs dispersion as a result of adsorption by NPs. Fluorescence for 3782SL and HPPH in NF increas

SUBMITTER: Chepurna O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11809228 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature