Nano-formulation of a photosensitizer using a DNA tetrahedron and its potential for in vivo photodynamic therapy

Kyoung Ran Kim, Duhee Bang, Dae Ro Ahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cytotoxic treatment using singlet oxygen produced by photosensitizers. Approved porphyrinoid PDT still suffers from a lack of robust production methods and low water solubility. Methylene blue (MB) is a good candidate for the PDT drug, because the dye is an effective photosensitizer, can be easily synthesized, and is already being used in other clinical fields. However, its poor cell/tissue penetration and low stability against the reducible biological conditions should be addressed by using a proper delivery vehicle. Here, we employed a DNA tetrahedron, a self-assembled nanostructure as the carrier for intracellular delivery of MB by taking advantage of the DNA binding property of the photosensitizer and demonstrated photo-induced cytotoxicity by the MB delivered by the DNA nanocarrier. We also evaluated the PDT potency of the MB-loaded DNA nanoconstruct in vivo tumor model to suppress tumor growth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)605-609
Number of pages5
JournalBiomaterials Science
Volume4
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Apr

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science(all)

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