Nanoplaform based on ultra-small Au regulating phototoxicity and fluorescence off-on function of Ag2S for multi-modal diagnosis and treatment of tumor

In this paper, a mixture of lecithin, polyethylene glycol monostearate, and polyethylene glycol phospholipid (DSPE-PEG2000) is used to wrap hydrophobic nano silver sulfide (Ag2S) and 3 -5 nm ultra-small gold nanoparticle (mAu) to form -150 nm hydrophilic nanocomposite probe Ag2S/Au@DSPE-PEG2000 (ASAuDP) with good stability and dispersion. The probe combines the functions of Ag2S and mAu, while mAu can significantly inhibit the fluorescence (FL) of Ag2S, thereby reducing the phototoxicity of probe when circulating in the body. When the ASAuDP probe is phagocytosed by tumor cell, Ag2S and mAu are separated due to the rupture of probe, thereby restoring the ability of FL imaging and ROS production. MTT test, blood analysis and organ pathology test prove that ASAuDP is a safe probe. In vitro and in vivo imaging experiments prove that the ASAuDP probe presents good FL, CT and photoacoustic imaging capabilities. In vitro and in vivo treatments prove that the ASAuDP probe has both photothermal and sonodynamic therapy abilities, and the synergy between them has the best therapeutic effect. Therefore, ASAuDP probe is a kind of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic probe with good safety, and it has a good application prospect in the treatment of tumor.

Automated summary

This paper presents the development of a stable and dispersed nanocomposite probe by wrapping hydrophobic silver sulfide and ultra-small gold nanoparticles. The probe combines the functions of silver sulfide and gold nanoparticles, offering excellent optical imaging and therapeutic capabilities.