CC BY
0Resonant dielectric nanoparticles for all-optical nanoscale heating
and temperature sensing in cells
M.V. Zyuzin1*, E.N. Gerasimova1
1- School of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, 191002 St. Petersburg, Russia
Abstract: This study presents two innovative methods for accurate temperature monitoring during medical treatments, which could significantly reduce the risk of cell and tissue damage from overheating. We focus on optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and a unique thermally sensitive Stokes shift in Raman response for real-time monitoring during the delivery of bioactive compounds and photothermal therapy.
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial for controlling cellular functions and processes [1]. Uncontrolled temperature increases during therapies like photothermal treatment can disrupt cell metabolism, growth, and survival [2,3]. To mitigate these risks, our study utilizes nanostructured materials, enabling precise temperature control at the cellular level.
Our first investigated method uses the optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of nanodiamonds with nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV-centers) [4]. These centers change frequency with temperature variations, allowing for precise monitoring when combined with drug carriers. By integrating gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as heating agents and NV-centers as nanothermometers within one carrier, we have developed a system for controlled photoinduced drug delivery with built-in temperature regulation, and photothermal therapy in vivo. Our research shows that the placement of Au NPs and their concentration within delivery carriers' impact on required laser power density for carrier rupture, however, the temperature of carrier decomposition remains the same [5].
The second method involves thermally sensitive shifts in Raman response [6]. We explored the potential of optically resonant dielectric nanoparticles, particularly a-Fe2O3 NPs (NPs), and silicon (Si)/silicon-gold (Si-Au) NPs, as temperature sensors. Similarly to previous study, the a-Fe2O3, which heat up under light, have been incorporated into drug carriers, enabling synchronized drug release and temperature measurement. This approach allows us to precisely track and control the temperature at which these carriers release their payload inside cells [7].
Additionally, we investigated the use of Si and Si-Au nanoparticles in optical hyperthermia of cells. To apply Si NPs as optical heaters, they should possess a narrow size distribution to meet the critical coupling conditions. Typically produced by laser ablation, Si NPs often suffer from polydispersity. To address this, we combined plasmonic (Au) and dielectric (Si) nanostructures in a single platform, creating hybrid nanomaterials with enhanced optical heating capabilities and real-time temperature monitoring inside cells. Our results showed that these hybrid Si-Au NPs were more effective for optical hyperthermia in biological media [8].
In summary, our findings suggest that accurate temperature measurement at the cellular level can enhance the effectiveness and safety of modern medical treatments. Further research, especially in vivo studies, is needed to fully develop and validate these methods.
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[4] G. Kucsko, et al, Nanometre-scale thermometry in a living cell, Nature, vol. 500, no. 7460, pp. 54-58, 2013.
[5] E.N. Gerasimova, et al, Real-Time Temperature Monitoring of Photoinduced Cargo Release inside Living Cells Using Hybrid Capsules Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles and Fluorescent Nanodiamonds, ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, vol. 13, no. 31, pp. 36737-36746, 2021.
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[7] G.P. Zograf, et al, All-Optical Nanoscale Heating and Thermometry with Resonant Dielectric Nanoparticles for Controllable Drug Release in Living Cells, Laser Photon Rev, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 1900082, 2020.
[8] E.N. Gerasimova, et al, Single-Step Fabrication of Resonant Silicon-Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles for Efficient Optical Heating and Nanothermometry in Cells, ACS Appl Nano Mater, vol. 6, no. 20, pp. 18848-18857, 2023.
