Double stimuli-responsive phenylboronic acid functionalized MOF materials for tumor cell imaging and inhibition

In this study, a novel dual-stimuli-responsive phenylboronic acid functionalized metal-organic framework (PCN-222(Fe)@calcein-PVA) was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared PCN-222 (Fe) @ calcein-PVA can release calcein and PCN-222 through phenylboronic acid ester bond cleavage in acidic environments. The former emits green fluorescence for cell imaging, while the latter can generate reactive oxygen species that inhibit tumor cell growth under illumination. 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) was used to verify that the nanocomposite may produce cytotoxic singlet oxygen under the stimulation of light. The cell experimental results showed that PCN-222 (Fe) @ calcein-PVA had a certain inhibitory effect on the growth of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, MCF-7). The results show that the nanocomposite has excellent pH response and light response, which provides potential applications in precise treatment of breast cancer and cell imaging.