A Fluorenone-Based Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticle Applied in Drug Delivery with Real-Time Detection (Color Change) via the AILE Mechanism

Abstract

Based on the self-assembly of conjugated polymers (CPs) with paclitaxel constructed as nanoparticles (NPs) with luminescent property of AILE mechanism, a novel type of pH-responsive nanoparticle was developed, featuring a color change that indicated the drug molecule release. The nanoparticles (NPs) characterized by their AILE luminescence were straightforward to prepare, exhibited exceptional stability, and demonstrated a high drug loading capacity and a sensitive drug release profile under acidic conditions. These NPs could release drugs within cellular lysosomes in response to acidic environments, thereby triggering apoptosis in cancer cells. Furthermore, the release of the drug can be monitored by observing changes in fluorescence color, which serves as an indicator signal. Additionally, by investigating the molecular interactions between PFOP-NEt3(+) and paclitaxel, we have proposed a novel mechanism for the induction of AILE luminescence.