Branched anisotropic gold nanostructures present distinguished performance acting both as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging and as active agents for photothermal therapies. Despite advances in their fabrication methods, the synthesis of such gold nanomaterials in a simple and reproducible way is still a challenge. In this paper, we report the development of branched anisotropic gold nanoparticles, the so-called gold nanoflowers (AuNFs), as near-infrared active theragnostic materials for cancer therapy and diagnosis. In situ chemical synthesis of the AuNFs was optimized to obtain monodisperse nanoflowers with controllable size and optical properties. Upon varying the temperature and gold ion concentrations, it was possible to tune the optical activity of the nanoparticles from 590 to 960 nm. The AuNFs exhibited good stability in the cell culture medium, and under laser irradiation. Photoacoustic imaging revealed that the NFs could be imaged in phantom systems even at low concentrations. In vitro tests revealed that the nanoflowers were effective in the photothermal therapy of a rat hepatocarcinoma (HTC) cell lineage. In addition, no toxicity was observed to mouse fibroblast (FC3H) cells incubated with the AuNFs. Our results reveal a simple method to synthesize branched anisotropic gold nanostructures, which is a promising platform for photothermal and photoacoustic therapies.

中文翻译：

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用于光声成像和热疗的近红外光活性治疗金纳米花

支化的各向异性金纳米结构表现出卓越的性能，既可作为光声成像的造影剂，也可作为光热疗法的活性剂。尽管其制造方法取得了进展，但以简单且可重复的方式合成这种金纳米材料仍然是一个挑战。在本文中，我们报告了支链各向异性金纳米粒子的发展，即所谓的金纳米花 (AuNF)，作为用于癌症治疗和诊断的近红外活性治疗材料。AuNFs的原位化学合成被优化以获得具有可控尺寸和光学特性的单分散纳米花。通过改变温度和金离子浓度，可以将纳米粒子的光学活性从 590 调整到 960 nm。AuNFs在细胞培养基和激光照射下表现出良好的稳定性。光声成像显示，即使在低浓度下，NFs 也可以在幻象系统中成像。体外试验表明，纳米花在大鼠肝癌 (HTC) 细胞谱系的光热疗法中是有效的。此外，对与 AuNF 一起孵育的小鼠成纤维细胞 (FC3H) 未观察到毒性。我们的研究结果揭示了一种合成分支各向异性金纳米结构的简单方法，这是光热和光声疗法的一个有前途的平台。体外试验表明，纳米花在大鼠肝癌 (HTC) 细胞谱系的光热疗法中是有效的。此外，对与 AuNF 一起孵育的小鼠成纤维细胞 (FC3H) 未观察到毒性。我们的研究结果揭示了一种合成分支各向异性金纳米结构的简单方法，这是光热和光声疗法的一个有前途的平台。体外试验表明，纳米花在大鼠肝癌 (HTC) 细胞谱系的光热疗法中是有效的。此外，对与 AuNF 一起孵育的小鼠成纤维细胞 (FC3H) 未观察到毒性。我们的研究结果揭示了一种合成分支各向异性金纳米结构的简单方法，这是光热和光声疗法的一个有前途的平台。