[Materials] Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Phthalocyanine with Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Lipid Composite Microspheres for Thermo-Responsive Release and Photodynamic Therapy
writer：Jiaojiao Liu , Jingliang Li , Zexin Zhang , Yuyan Weng , Gaojian Chen , Bing Yuan* , Kai Yang and Yuqiang Ma
keywords：http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/7/5/3481
source：期刊
specific source：Materials 2014, 7(5), 3481-3493;
Issue time：2014年
Phthalocyanine (Pc) is a type of promising sensitizer molecules for photodynamic therapy (PDT), but its hydrophobicity substantially prevents its applications. In this study, we efficiently encapsulate Pc into poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microgel particles, without or with lipid decoration (i.e., Pc@pNIPAM or Pc@pNIPAM/lipid), to improve its water solubility and prevent aggregation in aqueous medium. The incorporation of lipid molecules significantly enhances the Pc loading efficiency of pNIPAM. These Pc@pNIPAM and Pc@pNIPAM/lipid composite microspheres show thermo-triggered release of Pc and/or lipid due to the phase transition of pNIPAM. Furthermore, in the in vitro experiments, these composite particles work as drug carriers for the hydrophobic Pc to be internalized into HeLa cells. After internalization, the particles show efficient fluorescent imaging and PDT effect. Our work demonstrates promising candidates in promoting the use of hydrophobic drugs including photosensitizers in tumor therapies.