Multifunctional AIE iridium (III) photosensitizer nanoparticles for two-photon-activated imaging and mitochondria targeting photodynamic therapy.

ABSTRACT: Developing novel photosensitizers for deep tissue imaging and efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains a challenge because of the poor water solubility, low reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency, serve dark cytotoxicity, and weak absorption in the NIR region of conventional photosensitizers. Herein, cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes (Ir) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature, high photoinduced ROS generation efficiency, two-photon excitation, and mitochondria-targeting capability were designed and further encapsulated into biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs). The Ir-NPs can be used to disturb redox homeostasis in vitro, result in mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis. Importantly, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the Ir-NPs presented obviously tum

SUBMITTER: Cai X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8381541 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature