Endogenous H2O2-Sensitive and Weak Acidic pH-Triggered Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Nanoparticles (N-GNMs) in the Tumor Microenvironment Serve as Peroxidase-Mimicking Nanozymes for Tumor-Specific Treatment |
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Authors: | Danyang Liang Yongzhen Yang Gongjian Li Qin Wang Heting Chen Xiaoyuan Deng |
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Institution: | 1.MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (D.L.); (Y.Y.); (G.L.); (Q.W.); (H.C.);2.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;3.Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China |
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Abstract: | Nanozymes are emerging as a promising strategy for the treatment of tumors. Herein, to cope with the tumor microenvironment (TME), weak acidity (pH 5.6 to 6.8) and trace amounts of overexpressed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (100 µM–1 mM), we report nitrogen-doped graphene nanomaterials (N-GNMs), which act as highly efficient catalytic peroxidase (POD)-mimicking nanozymes in the TME for tumor-specific treatment. N-GNMs exhibit POD catalytic properties triggered by a weakly acidic TME and convert H2O2 into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) thus causing the death of tumor cells while in the neutral pH surroundings of normal tissues, such catalysis is restrained and leaves normal cells undamaged thereby achieving a tumor-specific treatment. N-GNMs also display a high catalytic activity and can respond to the trace endogenous H2O2 in the TME resulting in a high efficiency of tumor therapy. Our in vitro chemical and cell experiments illustrated the POD-like activity of N-GNMs and in vivo tumor model experiments confirmed the significant inhibitory effect of N-GNMs on tumor growth. |
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Keywords: | POD-mimicking nanozyme N-doped graphene high catalytic activity pH-triggered tumor-specific treatment tumor microenvironment |
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