Journal
BIOMATERIALS
Volume 33, Issue 6, Pages 1912-1920Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.11.033
Keywords
Nanoparticle; Upconversion; Viral pathogen; Photodynamic therapy
Funding
- Singapore A*STAR Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) [10/1/21/19/662]
- Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA-DIRP) [POD0713895]
- National University of Singapore (Cross Faculty Grant) [R-182-000-133-123]
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment modality that utilizes light of an appropriate wavelength to excite photosensitive materials called photosensitizers, which upon excitation, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are cytocidal and virucidal. However, problems such as hydrophobicity of photosensitizers and limited tissue penetration ability of the current light sources impeded its promotion as a mainstay in medical technology. Here, by using near-infrared (NIR)-to-visible upconversion nanoparticles (UCNs), we demonstrate UCN-based photodynamic inactivation as a potential antiviral strategy. These UCNs are nanotransducers which not only act as carriers of photosensitizers but also active participants in PDT by transducing NIR radiation to visible emissions appropriate for excitation of the attached photosensitizers. The UCNs effectively reduced the infectious virus titers in vitro with no clear pathogenicity in murine model and increased target specificity to virus-infected cells. Hence, this is a promising antiviral approach with feasible applications in the treatments of virus-associated infections, lesions and cancers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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