Near-infrared light triggered degradation of metal-organic frameworks for spatiotemporally-controlled protein release

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising platform for protein delivery due to their high loading capacity and tunable functionality. However, spatiotemporally-controlled release of loaded proteins from MOFs-based nanocarriers remains an outstanding challenge. Herein, we report a MOFs-based protein delivery system that is capable of precisely controlling protein release with deep tissue penetrable near-infrared (NIR) light. The responsive system was constructed by encapsulating a protein of interest and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) within zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) MOFs and further trapping a photoacid generator (PAG) in the pores of ZIF-8. Upon NIR light irradiation, UCNPs emit ultra-violet light that activates PAG to produce protons, which enables local pH acidification and thus degradation of ZIF-8 for spatiotemporally-controlled protein release. By employing insulin as a model protein, we de-monstrate that the system allows for on-demand control over its therapeutic efficacy against diabetes with NIR light. This work illustrates a general strategy to regulate MOFs-based nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery. (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used as a promising platform for protein delivery due to their high loading capacity and tunable functionality. However, the controlled release of proteins from MOFs-based nanocarriers is still a challenge. In this study, a MOFs-based protein delivery system that can precisely control protein release using near-infrared (NIR) light is reported. The system involves the encapsulation of proteins and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) within MOFs and the use of NIR light to trigger the release of the proteins.