mp300634b_si_001.pdf (14.64 MB)
Cell-Penetrating Peptide Enhanced Intracellular Raman Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy
journal contribution
posted on 2013-06-03, 00:00 authored by Andrew
M. Fales, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Tuan Vo-DinhWe present the application of a theranostic
system combining Raman
imaging and the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect. The theranostic
nanoplatform was created by loading the photosensitizer, protoporphyrin
IX, onto a Raman-labeled gold nanostar. A cell-penetrating peptide,
TAT, enhanced intracellular accumulation of the nanoparticles in order
to improve their delivery and efficacy. The plasmonic gold nanostar
platform was designed to increase the Raman signal via the surface-enhanced
resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) effect. Theranostic SERS imaging
and photodynamic therapy using this construct were demonstrated on
BT-549 breast cancer cells. The TAT peptide allowed for effective
Raman imaging and photosensitization with the nanoparticle construct
after a 1 h incubation period. In the absence of the TAT peptide,
nanoparticle accumulation in the cells was not sufficient to be observed
by Raman imaging or to produce any photosensitization effect after
this short incubation period. There was no cytotoxic effect observed
after nanoparticle incubation, prior to light activation of the photosensitizer.
This report shows the first application of combined SERS imaging and
photosensitization from a theranostic nanoparticle construct.