Nanogels for dual-chromatic cell imaging and photodynamic therapy

Abstract

We report on two nanogels, BN-H2 and BN-Br2, which consist of two fluorophores (nitrobenzoxadiazole and monostyryl BODIPY), 2-hydroxymethacrylate and N-isopropylacrylamide, respectively. The BODIPY dye employed in BN-Br2 has additional bromine atoms substituted at the C-2 and C-6 positions. The nanogels were designed to provide two-color fluorescence cell imaging as well as phototherapeutic effect. Because of the unique combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, the hydrodynamic size of the nanogels averaged at ca. 130 nm, which is apt for cellular internalization. Furthermore, cell proliferation and Annexin V/PI assay show that BN-Br2 induced apoptosis to the HeLa cells once illuminated with LED light. The quaternary ammonium group conjugated to the BODIPY dye enables mitochondria-targeted fluorescence cell imaging. © 2022 IEEE.