Cited by 63Nanoplatforms for cancer theranosticsLuminescence and Fluorescent MaterialsPhotodynamic Therapy Research Studies

Aggregation induced emission luminogen bacteria hybrid bionic robot for multimodal phototheranostics and immunotherapy

Open access
Zhu, Liwei, Song, Guangjie, Zhang, Wentian, Wu, Yifan, Chen, Yuling, Song, Jiayi, Wang, Deliang, Li, Guoxin +2 more·2025·Nature Communications

Abstract

Multimodal phototheranostics utilizing single molecules offer a “one-and-done” approach, presenting a convenient and effective strategy for cancer therapy. However, therapies based on conventional photosensitizers often suffer from limitations such as a single photosensitizing mechanism, restricted tumor penetration and retention, and the requirement for multiple irradiations, which significantly constrain their application. In this report, we present an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) bacteria hybrid bionic robot to address above issues. This bionic robot is composed of multifunctional AIEgen (INX-2) and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), i.e., EcN@INX-2. The EcN@INX-2 bionic robot exhibits near-infrared II (NIR-II) fluorescence emission and demonstrates efficient photodynamic and photothermal effects, as well as tumor-targeting capabilities. These features are facilitated by the complementary roles of INX-2 and EcN. The robot successfully enables in vivo multimodal imaging and therapy of colon cancer models in female mice through various mechanisms, including the activation of anti-tumor immunity, as well as photodynamic and photothermal therapy. Our study paves an avenue for designing multifunctional diagnostic agents for targeted colon cancer therapy through image-guided combinational immunotherapy. The utility of photosensitizers for cancer therapies is often hindered by a single photosensitizing mechanism, the need of multiple irradiations, and limited tumor penetration and retention. Here, the authors address these issues by developing an aggregation-induced emission luminogen bacteria hybrid bionic robot that enables multimodal imaging and therapy and activates anti-tumor immunity.

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  • Xanthene dyes, particularly rhodamines and fluoresceins, have attracted considerable attention in biomedical imaging owing to outstanding photophysical properties including high molar absorptivity, excellent photostability, facile functionalization, and tunable emission.

    “Xanthene dyes, particularly rhodamines and fluoresceins, have attracted considerable attention in biomedical imaging owing to their outstanding photophysical properties, including high molar absorptivity, excellent photostability, facile functionalization, and tunable emission”

    From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [178]

    The Results (Molecular design, synthesis and characterization; page unavailable) describe a probe with a xanthene bridge whose emission makes it suitable for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. The paper also uses fluorescein and rhodamine derivatives as reactive-oxygen-species indicators, but it does not establish that rhodamines and fluoresceins have attracted considerable attention in biomedical imaging because of the four listed properties. (LLM, conf=0.78)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • In CT26 tumor-bearing mice, EcN@INX-2 selectively accumulated within hypoxic tumor regions, enabling fluorescence/photothermal/PA trimodal imaging.

    “In CT26 tumor-bearing mice, EcN@INX-2 selectively accumulated within the hypoxic tumor regions, enabling fluorescence/photothermal/PA trimodal imaging.”
  • The superior optical properties of INX-2 synergized with the inherent tumor-targeting capability of EcN, endowing EcN@INX-2 with enhanced tumor tropism, multimodal imaging capacity, and synergistic therapeutic functions.

    “The superior optical properties of INX-2 synergized with the inherent tumor-targeting capability of EcN, endowing the EcN@INX-2 with enhanced tumor tropism, multimodal imaging capacity, and synergistic therapeutic functions.”
  • Upon laser irradiation, EcN@INX-2 elevated the tumor temperature to 51 °C, effectively suppressing CT26 tumor growth through combined PDT/PTT/ICD mechanisms.

    “Upon laser irradiation, EcN@INX-2 elevated the tumor temperature to 51 °C, effectively suppressing CT26 tumor growth through combined PDT/PTT/ICD mechanisms.”

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Authors
Zhu, L., Song, G., Zhang, W., Wu, Y., Chen, Y., Song, J., Wang, D., Li, G., Tang, B. Z., & Li, Y.
Affiliations
  • Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
  • Shenzhen University (CN)
  • Huzhou Normal University (CN)
  • Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital (CN)
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Li, Guoxin
  • Tang, Ben Zhong
  • Li, Ying
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2025-03-16
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
2578-2578
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4408478069
Cited by
63
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 43 · 2025: 20
FWCI
15.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (22275040)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
Keywords
aggregation-induced emission, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, phototheranostics, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, NIR-II fluorescence imaging, colon cancer, immunotherapy, antitumor immunity, image-guided cancer therapy, photosensitizers
MeSH terms
Theranostic Nanomedicine, Photothermal Therapy, Animals, Bionics, Colonic Neoplasms, Escherichia coli, Female, Humans, Immunotherapy, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Photochemotherapy, Phototherapy, Robotics, Photosensitizing Agents, Cell Line, Tumor, Mice

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