Supramolecular Vesicles Based on Gold Nanorods for Precise Control of Gene Therapy and Deferred Photothermal Therapy

In spite of being a promising therapeutic modality, gene therapy has limited clinical applications, mostly due to the lack of spatiotemporal resolution and inadequate efficacy. Herein, we present a facile strategy to remotely control intracellular gene expression by using gold nanorod- (Au NR) derived, host-guest interaction-mediated supramolecular vesicles as a gene carrier and photothermal transducer. Upon pulsed laser irradiation, mild photothermal conditions dissociate supramolecular vesicles to release gene and simultaneously activate heat shock protein-70 promoter (Hsp70) for spatiotemporally initiating gene expression inside cancer cells. Subsequently, upon introducing a polymeric guest species specifically into cancer cells, the dissociated Au NRs functionalized with macrocyclic host molecules could re-aggregate rapidly in cells to retard exocytosis of these NRs, thereby allowing deferred photothermal therapy to enhance the overall therapeutic outcome. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

In this study, a facile strategy was proposed to remotely control intracellular gene expression using gold nanorods (Au NRs) as gene carriers and photothermal transducers. This strategy allows precise spatiotemporal initiation of gene expression and deferred photothermal therapy, leading to enhanced therapeutic outcomes.