Structure impact on photodynamic therapy and cellular contrasting functions of colloids constructed from dimeric Au(I) complex and hexamolybdenum clusters

Abstract

Electrostatically driven self-assembly of [Au2L2]2+ (L is cyclic PNNP ligand) with [{Mo6I8}(L')6]2− (L' = I−, CH3COO−) in aqueous solutions is introduced as facile route for combination of therapeutic and cellular contrasting functions within heterometallic colloids (Mo6-Au2). The nature of L' affects the size and aggregation behavior of crystalline Mo6-Au2 aggregates, which in turn affect the luminescence of the cluster units incorporated into Mo6-Au2 colloids. The spin trap facilitated electron spin resonance spectroscopy technique indicates that the level of ROS generated by Mo6-Au2 colloids is also affected by their size. Both (L' = I−, CH3COO−) Mo6-Au2 colloids undergo cell internalization, which is enhanced by their assembly with poly-DL-lysine (PL) for L' = CH3COO−, but remains unchanged for L' = I−. The colloids PL-Mo6-Au2 (L' = CH3COO−) are visualized as huge crystalline aggregates both outside and inside the cell cytoplasm by confocal microscopy imaging of the incubated cells, while the smaller sized (30–50 nm) PL-Mo6-Au2 (L' = I−) efficiently stain the cell nuclei. Quantitative colocalization analysis of PL-Mo6-Au2 (L' = CH3COO−) in lysosomal compartments points to the fast endo-lysosomal escape of the colloids followed by their intracellular aggregation. The cytotoxicity of PL-Mo6-Au2 differs from that of Mo6 and Au2 blocks, predominantly acting through apoptotic pathway. The photodynamic therapeutic effect of the PL-Mo6-Au2 colloids on the cancer cells correlates with their intracellular trafficking and aggregation.