One-pot synthesis of Eu-MOFs for bioimaging and drug delivery

Abstract

Objective

The use of metal-organic framework (MOF) platforms has been a topic of growing interest in the fields of drug delivery and bioimaging. This study was designed to develop and evaluate a novel MOF-based drug and radiation delivery nanosystem.

Methods

Eu-MOFs were characterized in vitro via X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, and FT-IR spectrometry. Nanocarrier uptake and associated cell viability were assessed using a CCK-8 assay and using a high content screening system. Biodistribution studies were conducted with a Luminal II IVIS imaging system to assess nanocarrier distribution in different organs. As such, paclitaxel was selected as a model drug in the present study to evaluate Eu-MOF drug loading and release characteristics in vitro via HPLC.

Results

A straightforward one-step approach was used to successfully fabricate sea urchin-shaped Eu-MOFs that were self-assembled from Eu³⁺ and 1,3,5-pyromellitic acid. These MOFs exhibited robust red fluorescence owing to the antenna effect. Owing to their fluorescent properties, these Eu-MOFs were able to facilitate in vivo imaging with a high quantum yield and low background signal. Importantly, our Eu-MOFs exhibited good biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and high imaging efficiency. As they exhibited slow-release kinetics and targeted biodistribution profiles, these Eu-MOFs additionally hold great promise as potential anti-cancer agents in clinical settings.

Conclusion

Herein, we designed a novel Eu-MOF active targeted drug delivery nanocarrier platform and found that it represents a promising therapeutic tool for cancer treatment.

Keywords:

• Metal-organic framework
• Eu-MOFs
• rare-earth metal
• bioimaging
• drug delivery
• targeting biodistribution

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge The Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research in Inner Mongolia Medical University, The Center for New Drug Screening Engineering and Research of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and The Science and Technology Million Fund of Inner Mongolia Medical University (YKD2018KJBW011).

Consent for publication: All authors have read and agreed to all the contents for publication.

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Inner Mongolia Medical University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this paper and in the additional files.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Science and Technology Million Fund of Inner Mongolia Medical University (YKD2018KJBW011), the Higher Education Scientific Research Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (NJZY21632), the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia (2021MS08087) and “Trinity” College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cultivation Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University (SWYT2021002).