Human HSP70 Promoter-Based Prussian Blue Nanotheranostics for Thermo-Controlled Gene Therapy and Synergistic Photothermal Ablation

Realizing precise control of the therapeutic process is crucial for maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects, especially for strategies involving gene therapy (GT). Herein, a multifunctional Prussian blue (PB) nanotheranostic platform is first designed and then loaded with therapeutic plasmid DNA (HSP70-p53-GFP) for near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered thermo-controlled synergistic GT/photothermal therapy (PTT). Due to the unique structure of the PB nanocubes, the resulting PB@PEI/HSP70-p53-GFP nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit excellent photothermal properties and pronounced tumor-contrast performance in T-1/T-2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that mild NIR-laser irradiation (approximate to 41 degrees C) activates the HSP70 promoter for tumor suppressor p53-dependent apoptosis, while strong NIR-laser irradiation (approximate to 50 degrees C) induces photothermal ablation for cellular dysregulation and necrosis. Significant synergistic efficacy can be achieved by adjusting the NIR-laser irradiation (from approximate to 41 to approximate to 50 degrees C), compared to using GT or PTT alone. In addition, in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies demonstrate that PB@PEI/HSP70-p53-GFP NPs have good biocompatibility. Therefore, this work provides a promising theranostic approach for controlling combined GT and PTT via the heat-shock response.