Fabrication of Red Blood Cell-Mimicking Janus Microparticles with Enhanced Upconversion Luminescence and Drug Delivery Performance Using Double-Needle Electrospray

The shape and function of micro-/nano-particles for loadingdrugsplay an important role in the transportation process of the drug deliverysystem. This study successfully fabricated red blood cell (RBC)-mimickingJanus microparticles (JMPs) using double-needle electrospray, whichcontained porous Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs) and upconversion (UC) luminescent nanoparticles NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ and exhibited a unique two-compartmentstructure. The JMPs possessed excellent magnetic and UC luminescentproperties, as well as good hemocompatibility and cellular compatibility.Importantly, the two compartments of the Janus structure significantlyenhanced the UC luminescent intensity compared to single compartmentmicroparticles by reducing direct interactions between Fe3O4 MNPs and UC luminescent materials. By utilizing theporous structure of Fe3O4 MNPs, doxorubicinhydrochloride was loaded into Fe3O4 MNPs andthen embedded into the JMPs resulting in a slow-release effect. Giventhe excellent properties of magnetic and UC luminescence, biocompatibility,and drug slow-release ability, the RBC-mimicking JMPs have significantpotential for drug delivery and bioimaging applications.

Automated summary

This study successfully fabricated red blood cell-mimicking Janus microparticles with excellent magnetic and luminescent properties, which have significant potential for drug delivery and bioimaging applications.