Mou Seung Kim1,Yong Jeong2,Yun Kee Jo1
Kyungpook National University1,Korea National University of Transportation2
Mou Seung Kim1,Yong Jeong2,Yun Kee Jo1
Kyungpook National University1,Korea National University of Transportation2
Light-responsive nanotheranostics are highly desirable for cancer theranostics because they can make it possible to visualize and treat the cancer specifically through precise external modulation of the site <i>via</i> a single injection. Quantum dots (QDs) have been extensively considered to construct light-responsive nanotheranostics due to excellent optical properties and rich surface chemistry. However, the clinical application of QDs-based nanotheranositcs is still elusive due to the potential toxicity of contrast agents and the poor retention at the target site. Here, a sticky protein-based nanodots platform that simultaneously allows near-infrared (NIR)-responsive photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment and real-time tracking in a highly biocompatible, site-specific manner. A suite of proteinic nanoparticles decorated with silver sulfide (Ag<sub>2</sub>S) QDs were fabricated through electrospraying and subsequent biomineralization of a bioengineered mussel adhesive protein fused with a silver-binding AgP35 peptide (MAP-AgP35) under mild condition. The light-activatable proteinic Ag<sub>2</sub>S nanodots exhibited excellent anticancer therapeutic effects through intensive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as effective <i>in vivo</i> imaging ability under irradiation of NIR light (808 nm), while showing a good biocompatibility towards normal cells. Thus, our mussel protein-based Ag<sub>2</sub>S nanodots have a great potential as a externally controllable nanotheranostics to realize imaging-guided therapeutic implications for the complete ablation of cancer.