Glutathione-triggered luminescent silver nanoparticle: A urinary clearable nanoparticle for potential clinical practice

•Luminescent AgNPs were synthesized using glutathione as surface ligand.•AgNPs exhibit efficient renal clearance.•The biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the AgNPs are systematically studied.•In vivo fluorescence imaging of AgNPs is also demonstrated.

While inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) hold great promise for the revolution of current diagnostic techniques, potential risks of inorganic NPs on human health remain a big challenge and require to be thoroughly understood. In order to minimize the toxicity induced by the accumulation of NPs in reticuloendothelial system (RES), significant efforts have been devoted to the development of renal clearable nanomaterials by manipulating their surface-chemistry properties. In this work, a facile route is developed to fabricate luminescent silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which reveal efficient renal clearance. Considering the fundamental importance and hopeful applications of the as-prepared AgNPs, we systematically investigate their biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and renal clearance behaviors. Different from conventional metal NPs that are often severely accumulated in the vital organs, these luminescent renal clearable AgNPs demonstrate promisingly clinical translation for medical applications.

Graphical abstractRenal clearable luminescent silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were developed. The as-prepared luminescent AgNPs demonstrated favorable biocompatibility, efficient renal clearance and can be used for potential clinical translation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide