Hyaluronic acid (HA)�conjugated graphene oxide (GO) / photosensitizers (Ce6) nanohybrids were developed for cancer targeting and photoactivity switchable nanoplatforms for photodynamic therapy (PDT). HA-GO conjugates with size below 100 nm were prepared and characterized by 1H-NMR, FTIR, UV, TGA, AFM, DLS and MTT assays for the evaluation of chemical structure, morphology and biocompatibility. The high loading of Ce6 onto HA-GO nanocarriers was found to be mainly due to p-p stacking as well as hydrophobic interactions. Through in vitro cell studies, we demonstrate that the cellular internalization of HA-GO/Ce6 nanohybrids was much more effective when compared with free Ce6. The active targeting of HA-GO/Ce6 nanohybrids to cancer cells that overexpresses HA receptors was also confirmed by comparison with several control groups. The photoactivity of Ce6 adsorbed on HA-GO nanocarriers was mostly quenched in aqueous solution to ensure biocompatibility, but was quickly recovered after the release of Ce6 from HA-GO nanocarriers upon cellular uptake. Consequently, the PDT efficiency of HA-GO/Ce6 nanohybrids was significantly improved ~ 10 times more than that of free Ce6, as well documented by MTT and LIVE/DEAD assays. Our work thus highlights the great promise of HA-GO/Ce6 nanohybrids for cancer-targeted PDT.

Hyaluronic acid-graphene oxide conjugates loaded with photosensitizers for cancer targeted photodynamic therapy

246th National Meeting (2013)

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