Polylysine modified conjugated polymer nanoparticles loaded with the singlet oxygen probe 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and the photosensitizer indocyanine green for use in fluorometric sensing and in photodynamic therapy

Conjugated polymer hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with both indocyanine green (ICG) and 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) are described. The NPs are dually functional in that ICG acts as the photosensitizer, and DPBF as a probe for singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 probe). The nanoparticle core consists of the energy donating host poly(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(2,5-p-xylene) (PFP). The polymer is doped with the energy acceptor DPBF. Ratiometric fluorometric detection of singlet oxygen is accomplished by measurement of fluorescence at wavelengths of 415 and 458 nm. In addition, the shell of the positively charged polymeric nanoparticles was modified, via electrostatic interaction, with negatively charged PDT drugs ICG. The integrated nanoparticles of type ICG-DPBF-PFP display effective photodynamic performance under 808-nm laser irradiation. The 1 O 2 sensing behaviors of samples are evaluated based on the ratiometric fluorescent responses produced by DPBF and PFP. 1 O 2 can be fluorimetically sensed with a detection limit of 28 μM. The multifunctional nanoprobes exhibit effortless cellular uptake, superior photodynamic activity and a rapid ratiometric response to 1 O 2 . Schematic of a dual-functional nanoplatform for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) feedback. It offers a new strategy for self-monitoring photodynamic ablation. FRET: fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Indocyanine green is attached in the shell of nanoparticles, and 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran is doped into the energy donating host conjugated polymer.