Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles for Imaging-Guided Drug Delivery and Therapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advances in Nanotheranostics I

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Biomaterials Science and Engineering ((SSBSE,volume 6))

  • 1466 Accesses

Abstract

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) possess unique anti-Stokes optical properties, in which low-energy near-infrared (NIR) excitation can be converted into high-energy UV and/or visible emission with pronounced luminescence and chemical stability. Due to the rapid development of synthesis chemistry, lanthanide-doped UCNPs can be fabricated with narrow distribution and modulated physical behaviors. These unique characters endow them unique NIR-driven imaging/delivery/therapeutic applications, especially in the cases of the deep tissue environments. Herein, we introduce both the basic concepts and the up-to-date progresses of UCNPs in material engineering, toxicology, and bio-applications in imaging, molecular delivery, and tumor therapeutics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Auzel F (2004) Upconversion and anti-stokes processes with f and d ions in solids. Chem Rev 104(1):139–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wu X, Chen G, Shen J et al (2015) Upconversion nanoparticles: a versatile solution to multiscale biological imaging. Bioconjug Chem 28(2):166–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Wu SW, Han G, Milliron DJ et al (2009) Non-blinking and photostable upconverted luminescence from single lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106(27):10917–10921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu Q, Feng W, Yang TS et al (2013) Upconversion luminescence imaging of cells and small animals. Nat Protoc 8(10):2033–2044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Chen GY, Shen J, Ohulchanskyy TY et al (2012) (α-NaYbF4:Tm3+)/CaF2 core/shell nanoparticles with efficient near-infrared to near-infrared upconversion for high-contrast deep tissue bioimaging. ACS Nano 6(9):8280–8287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yang TS, Liu Q, Li JC et al (2014) Photoswitchable upconversion nanophosphors for small animal imaging in vivo. R Soc Chem Adv 4(30):15613–15619

    Google Scholar 

  7. Shen J, Zhao L, Han G (2013) Lanthanide-doped upconverting luminescent nanoparticle platforms for optical imaging-guided drug delivery and therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 65(5):744–755

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Idris NM, Jayakumar MKG, Bansal A et al (2015) Upconversion nanoparticles as versatile light nanotransducers for photoactivation applications. Chem Soc Rev 44(6):1449–1478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang J, Deng RR, MacDonald MA et al (2014) Enhancing multiphoton upconversion through energy clustering at sublattice level. Nat Mater 13(2):157–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Liu Q, Sun Y, Yang TS et al (2011) Sub-10 nm hexagonal lanthanide-doped NaLuF4 upconversion nanocrystals for sensitive bioimaging in vivo. J Am Chem Soc 133(43):17122–17125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ryu J, Park HY, Kim K et al (2010) Facile synthesis of ultrasmall and hexagonal NaGdF4: Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles with magnetic and upconversion imaging properties. J Phys Chem C 114(49):21077–21082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Shen J, Chen GY, Vu AM et al (2013) Engineering the upconversion nanoparticle excitation wavelength: cascade sensitization of tri-doped upconversion colloidal nanoparticles at 800 nm. Adv Opt Mater 1(9):644–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Qiu PY, Zhou N, Chen HY et al (2013) Recent advances in lanthanide-doped upconversion nanomaterials: synthesis, nanostructures and surface modification. Nanoscale 5(23):11512–11525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Mai HX, Zhang YW, Si R et al (2006) High-quality sodium rare-earth fluoride nanocrystals: controlled synthesis and optical properties. J Am Chem Soc 128(19):6426–6436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Yi GS, Chow GM (2006) Synthesis of hexagonal-phase NaYF4: Yb, Er and NaYF4: Yb, Tm nanocrystals with efficient up-conversion fluorescence. Adv Funct Mater 16(18):2324–2329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Boyer JC, Vetrone F, Cuccia LA et al (2006) Synthesis of colloidal upconverting NaYF4 nanocrystals doped with Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+, Yb3+ via thermal decomposition of lanthanide trifluoroacetate precursors. J Am Chem Soc 128(23):7444–7445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Boyer JC, Cuccia LA, Capobianco JA (2007) Synthesis of colloidal upconverting NaYF4: Er3+/Yb3+ and Tm3+/Yb3+ monodisperse nanocrystals. Nano Lett 7(3):847–852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Yi GS, Chow GM (2007) Water-soluble NaYF4: Yb, Er(Tm)/NaYF4/polymer core/shell/shell nanoparticles with significant enhancement of upconversion fluorescence. Chem Mater 19(3):341–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Zeng JH, Su J, Li ZH et al (2005) Synthesis and upconversion luminescence of hexagonal-phase NaYF4: Yb, Er, phosphors of controlled size and morphology. Adv Mater 17(17):2119–2123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang X, Zhuang J, Peng Q et al (2005) A general strategy for nanocrystal synthesis. Nature 437(7055):121–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liang X, Wang X, Zhuang J et al (2007) Synthesis of NaYF4 nanocrystals with predictable phase and shape. Adv Funct Mater 17(15):2757–2765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang Y, Tu LP, Zhao JW et al (2009) Upconversion luminescence of beta-NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+@β-NaYF4 core/shell nanoparticles: excitation power, density and surface dependence. J Phys Chem C 113(17):7164–7169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Wang F, Wang JA, Liu XG (2010) Direct evidence of a surface quenching effect on size-dependent luminescence of upconversion nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed 49(41):7456–7460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Shen J, Chen GY, Ohulchanskyy TY et al (2013) Tunable near infrared to ultraviolet upconversion luminescence enhancement in (α-NaYF4:Yb, Tm)/CaF2 core/shell nanoparticles for in situ real-time recorded biocompatible photoactivation. Small 9(19):3213–3217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Zhong YT, Tian G, Gu ZJ et al (2014) Elimination of photon quenching by a transition layer to fabricate a quenching-shield sandwich structure for 800 nm excited upconversion luminescence of Nd3+ sensitized nanoparticles. Adv Mater 26(18):2831–2837

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wen HL, Zhu H, Chen X et al (2013) Upconverting near-infrared light through energy management in core-shell-shell nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed 52(50):13419–13423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lai J, Zhang Y, Pasquale N et al (2014) An upconversion nanoparticle with orthogonal emissions using dual NIR excitations for controlled two-way photoswitching. Angew Chem Int Ed 126(52):14647–14651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhao L, Kutikov A, Shen J et al (2013) Stem cell labeling using polyethylenimine conjugated (α-NaYbF4:Tm3+)/CaF2 upconversion nanoparticles. Theranostics 3(4):249–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen ZG, Chen HL, Hu H et al (2008) Versatile synthesis strategy for carboxylic acid-functionalized upconverting nanophosphors as biological labels. J Am Chem Soc 130(10):3023–3029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhang TR, Ge JP, Hu YX et al (2007) A general approach for transferring hydrophobic nanocrystals into water. Nano Lett 7(10):3203–3207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Dong AG, Ye XC, Chen J et al (2011) A generalized ligand-exchange strategy enabling sequential surface functionalization of colloidal nanocrystals. J Am Chem Soc 133(4):998–1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Conner SD, Schmid SL (2003) Regulated portals of entry into the cell. Nature 422(6927):37–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Jin JF, Gu YJ, Man CWY et al (2011) Polymer-coated NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles for charge-dependent cellular imaging. ACS Nano 5(10):7838–7847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Cao TY, Yang Y, Gao YA et al (2011) High-quality water-soluble and surface-functionalized upconversion nanocrystals as luminescent probes for bioimaging. Biomaterials 32(11):2959–2968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Zhou J, Zhu XJ, Chen M et al (2012) Water-stable NaLuF4-based upconversion nanophosphors with long-term validity for multimodal lymphatic imaging. Biomaterials 33(26):6201–6210

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  36. Peng JJ, Sun Y, Zhao LZ et al (2013) Polyphosphoric acid capping radioactive/upconverting NaLuF4:Yb, Tm, Sm-153 nanoparticles for blood pool imaging in vivo. Biomaterials 34(37):9535–9544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Xiong LQ, Chen ZG, Yu MX et al (2009) Synthesis, characterization, and in vivo targeted imaging of amine-functionalized rare-earth up-converting nanophosphors. Biomaterials 30(29):5592–5600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Xiong LQ, Chen ZG, Tian QW et al (2009) High contrast upconversion luminescence targeted imaging in vivo using peptide-labeled nanophosphors. Anal Chem 81(21):8687–8694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Yu XF, Sun ZB, Li M et al (2010) Neurotoxin-conjugated upconversion nanoprobes for direct visualization of tumors under near-infrared irradiation. Biomaterials 31(33):8724–8731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Bogdan N, Rodriguez EM, Sanz-Rodriguez F et al (2012) Bio-functionalization of ligand-free upconverting lanthanide doped nanoparticles for bio-imaging and cell targeting. Nanoscale 4(12):3647–3650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang M, Mi CC, Wang WX et al (2009) Immunolabeling and NIR-excited fluorescent imaging of HeLa cells by using NaYF4:Yb, Er upconversion nanoparticles. ACS Nano 3(6):1580–1586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Xiong LQ, Yang TS, Yang Y et al (2010) Long-term in vivo biodistribution imaging and toxicity of polyacrylic acid-coated upconversion nanophosphors. Biomaterials 31(27):7078–7085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Cheng L, Yang K, Shao MW et al (2011) In vivo pharmacokinetics, long-term biodistribution and toxicology study of functionalized upconversion nanoparticles in mice. Nanomedicine 6(8):1327–1340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Bridot JL, Faure AC, Laurent S et al (2007) Hybrid gadolinium oxide nanoparticles: multimodal contrast agents for in vivo imaging. J Am Chem Soc 129(16):5076–5084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Liu CY, Gao ZY, Zeng JF et al (2013) Magnetic/upconversion fluorescent NaGdF4:Yb, Er nanoparticle-based dual-modal molecular probes for imaging tiny tumors in vivo. ACS Nano 7(8):7227–7240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Jalil RA, Zhang Y (2008) Biocompatibility of silica coated NaYF4 upconversion fluorescent nanocrystals. Biomaterials 29(30):4122–4128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Wang C, Cheng LA, Liu ZA (2011) Drug delivery with upconversion nanoparticles for multi-functional targeted cancer cell imaging and therapy. Biomaterials 32(4):1110–1120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Hou ZY, Li CX, Ma PA et al (2011) Electrospinning preparation and drug-delivery properties of an up-conversion luminescent porous NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+@silica fiber nanocomposite. Adv Funct Mater 21(12):2356–2365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Min YZ, Li JM, Liu F et al (2014) Near-infrared light-mediated photoactivation of a platinum antitumor prodrug and simultaneous cellular apoptosis imaging by upconversion-luminescent nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed 53(4):1012–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Yang YM, Velmurugan B, Liu XG et al (2013) NIR photoresponsive crosslinked upconverting nanocarriers toward selective intracellular drug release. Small 9(17):2937–2944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Thomas M, Klibanov AM (2003) Non-viral gene therapy: polycation-mediated DNA delivery. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 62(1):27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Jiang S, Zhang Y (2010) Upconversion nanoparticle-based FRET system for study of siRNA in live cells. Langmuir 26(9):6689–6694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Guo HC, Idris NM, Zhang Y (2011) LRET-based biodetection of DNA release in live cells using surface-modified upconverting fluorescent nanoparticles. Langmuir 27(6):2854–2860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Fisher AMR, Murphree AL, Gomer CJ (1995) Clinical and preclinical photodynamic therapy. Laser Surg Med 17(1):2–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Shan GB, Weissleder R, Hilderbrand SA (2013) Upconverting organic dye doped core-shell nano-composites for dual-modality NIR imaging and photo-thermal therapy. Theranostics 3(4):267–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Guo YY, Kumar M, Zhang P (2007) Nanoparticle-based photosensitizers under CW infrared excitation. Chem Mater 19(25):6071–6072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Shan JN, Budijono SJ, Hu GH et al (2011) Pegylated composite nanoparticles containing upconverting phosphors and meso-tetraphenyl porphine (TPP) for photodynamic therapy. Adv Funct Mater 21(13):2488–2495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Wang C, Tao HQ, Cheng L et al (2011) Near-infrared light induced in vivo photodynamic therapy of cancer based on upconversion nanoparticles. Biomaterials 32(26):6145–6154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Punjabi A, Wu X, Tokatli-Apollon A et al (2014) Amplifying the red-emission of upconverting nanoparticles for biocompatible clinically used prodrug-induced photodynamic therapy. ACS Nano 8(10):10621–10630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Saxton RE, Paiva MB, Lufkin RB, Castro DJ (1995) Laser photochemotherapy – a less invasive approach for treatment of cancer. Semin Surg Oncol 11(4):283–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Dong BA, Xu S, Sun JA et al (2011) Multifunctional NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+@Agcore/shell nanocomposites: integration of upconversion imaging and photothermal therapy. J Mater Chem 21(17):6193–6200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Xiao QF, Zheng XP, Bu WB et al (2013) A core/satellite multifunctional nanotheranostic for in vivo imaging and tumor eradication by radiation/photothermal synergistic therapy. J Am Chem Soc 135(35):13041–13048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Chen Q, Wang C, Cheng L et al (2014) Protein modified upconversion nanoparticles for imaging-guided combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Biomaterials 35(9):2915–2923

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts-Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, LRB 806, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA

    Zhanjun Li, Yuanwei Zhang & Gang Han

Authors
  1. Zhanjun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuanwei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gang Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gang Han .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China

    Zhifei Dai

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Li, Z., Zhang, Y., Han, G. (2016). Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles for Imaging-Guided Drug Delivery and Therapy. In: Dai, Z. (eds) Advances in Nanotheranostics I. Springer Series in Biomaterials Science and Engineering, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48544-6_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48544-6_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-48542-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-48544-6

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation