Layer-by-layer engineering fluorescent polyelectrolyte coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as pH-sensitive nanocarriers for controlled release

Fluorescent core/shell composite has been fabricated by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of the fluorescein isothiocyanate modified chitosan (CS-FITC) and sodium alginate (AL) onto the carboxyl modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-COOH), followed by PEGylation. It exhibits stability in high saltconcentration media and the pH responsive fluorescent feature can be used for cell imaging. Furthermore, the modified MSN cores can enhance the DOX loading capacity and the multifunctional polyelectrolyte shell can adjust the drug release upon the media pH, showing a low leakage quantity at the neutral environment but significantly enhanced release at lower pH media mimicking the tumor environments. Therefore, the biocompatible fluorescent polyelectrolyte coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-LBL-PEG) offer promise for tumor therapy. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.