Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely used in biological research including bioimaging, biosensing, and biomedicine because of their excellent biocompatibility. However, inefficient absorption of these CDs in the visible-to-near-infrared window limits their applications for photo-sensitive cancer therapeutic strategies and in vivo imaging. Herein, novel supra-carbon dots (SCDs, approximately 20 nm) with high visible-NIR absorption, large photothermal efficiency, and specific cancer cell and mitochondria-targeting feature were prepared by the self-assembly of small-sized CDs (approximately 5 nm) under an acidic environment, followed by modification of cancer cell- and mitochondria-targeting peptides. These targeting SCDs were applied for precisely damaging cancer cells by an NIR photothermal therapy (PTT), and the viability rate difference between the cancer and normal cells is as large as 70%, indicating high specificity and high selectivity. In addition, the destruction of mitochondria was observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy, and the real-time dynamics of the cellular molecules during this process were further evaluated by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The results reveal that the produced hyperthermia may first incite structural changes in lipid, protein, and deoxyribonucleic acid and then induce cell death. Our results are helpful for the preparation of new CDs-based photothermal materials and the development of more efficient photothermal therapeutic platforms.
Theranostic applications in atherosclerosis plaque microenvironment-triggered nanoplatforms are significantly compromised by the complex synthesis procedure, non-specific distribution, and limited therapeutic function. Therefore, development of a facile and feasible method to construct a pathology-based stimuli-responsive nanoplatform with satisfactory theranostic performance remains a demanding and highly anticipated goal. Herein, a novel class of multifunctional supra-carbon dots (CDs), denoted as MM@Ce-CDs NPs, by a simple nanoassembly and a subsequent coating with macrophage membrane (MM), is developed for the targeted reactive oxygen species-trigged theranostic and positive regulation of the pathological plaque microenvironment in AS. The harvested MM@Ce-CDs NPs exhibit activatable fluorescence properties, photoacoustic characteristics, and cascade enzyme performances, which can be effectively activated under ROS stimulation in the plaque pathological microenvironment, enabling precise control over theranostic functions, while markedly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy for AS management. Besides, MM@Ce-CDs NPs can effectively manipulate the plaque microenvironment by reducing ROS levels and inflammation, alleviating M1 macrophage infiltration, and inhibiting foam cell formation, all together suppressing the pathological plaque development through the synergistic mechanisms. In addition, MM@Ce-CDs NPs inherit the biomimetic biological functions from MM, facilitating a highly specific target delivery to AS.
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）