NIR-II emissive aza-BODIPY-based nanoparticles for triggering glioblastoma apoptosis in brain

D-D'-A type aza-borondipyrromethenes (aza-BODIPYs) were prepared by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. Photothermal conversion efficiency of self-assemble aza-BODIPY-based nanoparticles (DA-azaBDP-NPs) with NIR-II emission (λem = 1065 nm) was 37.2% under near infrared (NIR) irradiation, and the outstanding cytotoxicity was triggered by coexistence of DA-azaBDP-NPs and the NIR irradiation, with the decrease of glioblastoma migration and the inhibition of glioblastoma proliferation. DA-azaBDP-NPs could promote glioblastoma autophagy and accelerate the process of cell death. The photothermal therapy (PTT) of DA-azaBDP-NPs can effectively induce glioblastoma death by apoptosis under the NIR irradiation, which is highly promising to be applied in vivo experiments of brain.