比率型SO2荧光探针的构建及细胞成像研究

本文构建了一种基于苯并吲哚季铵盐结构的荧光探针用于检测SO₂衍生物。该荧光探针能够快速、灵敏、高选择性地检测HSO₃^-和SO₃^2-,并显示出颜色和荧光变化双重响应。其比率荧光强度（I₄₆₂/I₅₈₈）与HSO₃^-的浓度（0～16 μmol/L）之间具有良好的线性关系,检测限低至12 nmol/L。¹HNMR表明该探针的响应机制为1,4-亲核加成反应。激光共聚焦荧光成像结果表明,CZBI具有良好的细胞膜通透性,并且可以通过比率荧光成像实现对细胞内SO₂衍生物的监测。     

A dual-modal probe for NIR fluorogenic and ratiometric photoacoustic imaging of Cys/Hcy in vivo

Biothiols, such as cysteine(Cys) and homocysteine(Hcy), play vital roles in biological homeostasis and are closely related to various pathological and physiological processes in the living systems. Therefore, the in vivo detection of biothiols is of great importance for early diagnosis of diseases and assessment of disease progression. In this work, we developed a near-infrared(NIR) fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-modal molecular probe(NIR-S) that can be specifically activated by Cys or Hcy. The aryl-thioether substituted cyanine probe can undergo nucleophilic substitution and Smiles rearrangement reaction, resulting in specific turn-on NIR fluorescence and ratiometric photoacoustic responses for Hcy/Cys. Thus, NIR-S not only realizes the specific NIR fluorescence and photoacoustic dual mode imaging to detect Hcy/Cys in solution, but also can be applied to living cells and mice to detect Hcy/Cys. This work provided a practical tool to detect Hcy/Cys levels in vivo, which would be beneficial for the early diagnosis and progress of diseases.     

An enzymatically activated fluorescence probe for targeted tumor imaging

Beta-galactosidase is a widely used reporter enzyme, but although several substrates are available for in vitro detection, its application for in vivo optical imaging remains a challenge. To obtain a probe suitable for in vivo use, we modified our previously developed activatable fluorescence probe, TG-betaGal (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 4888-4894), on the basis of photochemical and photophysical experiments. The new probe, AM-TG-betaGal, provides a dramatic fluorescence enhancement upon reaction with beta-galactosidase, and further hydrolysis of the ester moiety by ubiquitous intracellular esterases affords a hydrophilic product that is well retained within the cells without loss of fluorescence. We used a mouse tumor model to assess the practical utility of AM-TG-betaGal, after confirming that tumors in the model could be labeled with an avidin-beta-galactosidase conjugate. This conjugate was administered to the mice in vivo, followed by AM-TG-betaGal, and subsequent ex vivo fluorescence imaging clearly visualized intraperitoneal tumors as small as 200 microm. This strategy has potential clinical application, for example, in video-assisted laparoscopic tumor resection.     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for thiols based on a tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-coumarin scaffold

In this work, we have designed and synthesized the compound Ratio-HPSSC, based on a tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-coumarin scaffold, as a new ratiometric fluorescent probe for thiols. The ratiometric probe Ratio-HPSSC is highly selective and sensitive to thiols. Importantly, the novel ratiometric probe exhibited a remarkable change in emission color from red to blue. This key feature allows Ratio-HPSSC to be employed for thiol detection by simple visual inspection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Ratio-HPSSC is suitable for ratiometric fluorescence imaging of thiols in living cells. We believe that the new ratiometric probe will find interesting applications in chemistry, biology, and medicine.     

A mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for ratiometric detection of hypochlorite in living cells

A new fl uorescent probe 1 was designed for mitochondrial localization and ratiometric detection of hypochlorite in living cells. It is noteworthy that a high Pearson’s co-localization coeffi cient (Rr) we have obtained was calculated to be 0.97.     

Development of an iminocoumarin-based zinc sensor suitable for ratiometric fluorescence imaging of neuronal zinc

Ratiometric imaging is a technique to reduce artifacts by minimizing the influence of extraneous factors on the fluorescence of a sensor and is particularly useful for cellular imaging studies. Here we characterized the iminocoumarin fluorophore as a new scaffold for sensors for ratiometric imaging. The iminocoumarin 4 showed a high quantum yield in aqueous media on excitation in the visible wavelength region, while its coumarin analogue showed little fluorescence. We therefore developed a novel fluorescence probe, ZnIC, for ratiometric imaging of Zn2+, using iminocoumarin as a fluorophore and (ethylamino)dipicolylamine as a Zn2+ chelator. ZnIC exhibited almost the same fluorescence properties as 4, and the emission spectrum of this probe was red-shifted on addition of Zn2+ under physiological conditions. ZnIC is selective for Zn2+ over other biologically important metal ions, such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and has high affinity for Zn2+. To confirm the suitability of ZnIC for biological applications, we employed it for the ratiometric detection of changes in intracellular Zn2+ in cultured cells and in rat hippocampal slices. The results indicate that iminocoumarin is a useful fluorophore for fluorescence microscopic imaging and that ZnIC should be useful for studies on the biological functions of Zn2+.     

Noninvasive Early Diagnosis of Allograft Rejection by a Granzyme B Protease Responsive NIR-II Bioimaging Nanosensor

Early diagnosis of allograft rejection helps to improve the immune-related management of transplant recipients. The clinically-used core needle biopsy method is invasive and subject to sampling error. In vivo fluorescence imaging for monitoring immune-related processes has the advantages of non-invasiveness, fast feedback and high sensitivity. Herein, we report a responsive second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescent nanosensor (ErGZ) to detect early allograft rejection. ErGZ allows ratiometric in vivo fluorescence sensing of granzyme B, which is overexpressed in recipients’ T cells during the onset of rejection. The sensor demonstrates efficacious detection of allograft rejection with high sensitivity and specificity, which accomplishes non-invasive diagnosis of rejection in skin and deep buried islets transplant mice models 2 d and 5 d earlier than biopsy, by in vivo fluorescence imaging and urinary detection, respectively, providing a valuable approach for therapeutical management.     

Recent Progress of Small-Molecule Ratiometric Fluorescent Probes for Peroxynitrite in Biological Systems

Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) as a major reactive oxygen species plays important roles in cellular signal transduction and homeostatic regulation. Precise detection of ONOO⁻ in biological systems is vital for exploring its physiological and pathological function. Among numerous detection methods, fluorescence imaging technology using fluorescent probes offers some advantages, including simple operation, high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as real-time and nondestructive detection. In particular, ratiometric fluorescent probes, in which the built-in calibration of the two emission bands prevents interference from the biological environment, have been extensively employed to monitor the fluctuation of bioactive species. In this review, we will discuss small-molecule ratiometric fluorescent probes for ONOO⁻ in live cells or in vivo, which involves chemical structures, response mechanisms, and biological applications. Moreover, the challenges and future prospects of ONOO⁻-responsive ratiometric fluorescent probe are also proposed.     

Design and synthesis of a ratiometric photoacoustic imaging probe activated by selenol for visual monitoring of pathological progression of autoimmune hepatitis

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging with both the high contrast of optical imaging and the high spatial resolution of ultrasound imaging has been regarded as a robust biomedical imaging technique. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is the second largest liver inflammatory disease after viral hepatitis, but its pathogenesis is not fully understood probably due to the lack of an effective in vivo monitoring approach. In this work, an innovative selenol-activated ratiometric PA imaging probe APSel was developed for visual monitoring of pathological progress of AIH. Selenols including selenocysteine (Sec, the major form of Se-containing species in vivo) have been demonstrated to have an effective antioxidant role in inflammation. The reaction of APSel with selenol results in a blue shift of the PA spectrum peak from 860 nm to 690 nm, which enables the ratiometric PA imaging. The APSel probe displays high sensitivity and selectivity to Sec and other selenols. The APSel probe was then employed for ratiometric PA imaging of selenol in cells, and for monitoring the development of AIH in a murine model by tracking the changes of selenol level. The results revealed that the level of selenol was closely correlated with the development of AIH. The proposed APSel, as the first example of a selenol-responsive PA imaging probe, provides a new tool and approach to study and diagnose AIH diseases.

A ratiometric photoacoustic imaging probe activated by selenol was developed for visual monitoring of pathological progression of autoimmune hepatitis.     

量子点比率荧光探针研究进展

量子点(QDs)是一种纳米发光粒子,具有优异的发光性能,在太阳能利用、荧光检测等方面具有广阔的应用前景。QDs与另一荧光团复合可构建比率荧光探针,实现可视化检测目标物并且提高了检测灵敏度。本文主要对QDs比率荧光探针的种类、构建方法和应用领域的研究进展进行综述,并对其中的不足进行分析,以期为研发具有优异性能的比率荧光探针提供借鉴。     

A Biocompatible Probe for the Detection of Neutrophil Elastase Free from the Interference of Structural Changes and Its Application to Ratiometric Photoacoustic Imaging In Vivo

Neutrophil elastase (NE) plays a key role in chronic inflammation and acute responses to infection and injury. Effective disease interventions thus call for precise identification of NE to aid the clinical treatment of such diseases. However, the detection process suffers from the interference of structural changes of NE. Herein, we introduce a molecular probe with high biocompatibility to overcome the interference, which was achieved by combining theoretical calculations and experimental studies, that permits highly specific and sensitive detection of NE in cells and in vivo. The upregulated NE accumulation was specifically measured in inflammation by ratiometric photoacoustic and near-infrared fluorescence imaging, providing a new method for developing more specific fluorogenic probes for other enzymes.     

A self-assembly/disassembly two-photo ratiometric fluorogenic probe for bacteria imaging

A fluorogenic probe for bacteria imaging was reported. The binding with anionic bacterial surfaces disassembled the self-assembly probe to turn-on the fluorescence and shift pyrene monomer/excimer ratiometric signals.     

Activatable nanoscale metal-organic framework for ratiometric photoacoustic imaging of hydrogen sulfide and orthotopic colorectal cancer in vivo

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks(nano MOFs) have emerged as a promising biomedical nanoplatform because of their unique properties. However, the exploration of nano MOFs in photoacoustic(PA) imaging is still limited. Here, a novel hydrogen sulfide(H2 S)-activated nano copper-based MOF(Cu-MOF) was developed as a near-infrared(NIR) ratiometric PA probe for in vivo monitoring of endogenous H2 S level and orthotopic colorectal cancer imaging via in situ reaction of nano Cu-MOFs with endogenous H_2 S that is closely associated with tumor growth and proliferation in colon cancer. The synthesized nano Cu-MOFs displayed excellent PA responsiveness towards tumor H_2 S level with high selectivity and rapid kinetics. The result suggests the developed probe may provide a unique opportunity to investigate the malignant behaviors of H_2 S-associated events in vivo.     

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for quantification of bovine serum albumin

A 4-aminonaphthalimide-based ratiometric fluorescent probe 1 employing the internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism was designed and synthesized to detect bovine serum albumin (BSA). The interaction of 1 and BSA was investigated by fluorescence and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Upon treatment with BSA, the probe successfully exhibited a ratiometric fluorescent response at 540 nm and 480 nm. The fluorescent intensity ratio at 540 nm and 480 nm (F(540)/F(480)) increases linearly with BSA concentration in the range of 0-75.0 μg mL(-1) and the detection limit was about 2.4 ng mL(-1). Our strategy is expected to provide a methodology to quantify BSA either by a normal or by a ratiometric and colorimetric way with high sensitivity.     

选择性检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针

本文设计合成了一种基于BODIPY衍生物选择性检测谷胱甘肽的比率式荧光探针1。荧光探针1中BODIPY的3位连有苯乙炔基团,5位连有咪唑盐离去基团,利用其与谷胱甘肽和半胱氨酸反应机理的不同实现了对谷胱甘肽的选择性检测。紫外可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱实验结果表明探针分子1与谷胱甘肽反应后的光谱发生明显红移,可以实现对谷胱甘肽的比率式检测。探针分子1对谷胱甘肽有极高的选择性,不受其它氨基酸尤其是半胱氨酸的干扰。荧光滴定实验表明探针分子1可实现对谷胱甘肽的定量检测,检测限为3.3×10-8 mol/L。探针分子成功地应用于活体细胞中检测谷胱甘肽。     

Fluorescent Imaging for Cysteine Detection In Vivo with High Selectivity

As an essential amino acid, cysteine is involved in various biosynthetic and metabolic processes, such as protein synthesis, hormone synthesis, and redox homeostatic maintenance. Inordinate cysteine levels are often associated with serious diseases. Thus, designing and synthesizing a novel fluorescent probe for determining the concentration of cellular cysteine, which could indirectly monitor the prevalence of these diseases, is essential. We developed a florescence probe P−Cy with good sensitivity for cysteine detection in vivo. P−Cy only exhibited good response toward cysteine but did not show response toward other biothiols, such as homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). In this study, we used P−Cy by successfully imaging cellular endogenous and exogenous cysteine levels. Furthermore, P−Cy was also performed in mice to detect cysteine level, indicating that P−Cy is a powerful tool for cysteine detection in situ.     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for iron(III) and its application for detection of iron(III) in human blood serum

A simple and versatile ratiometric fluorescent Fe³⁺ detecting system, probe 1, was rationally developed based on the Fe³⁺-mediated deprotection of acetal reaction. Notably, this reaction was firstly employed to design fluorescent Fe³⁺ probe. Upon treatment with Fe³⁺, probe 1 showed ratiometric response, with the fluorescence spectra displaying significant red shift (up to 132 nm) and the emission ratio value (I₅₂₂/I₃₉₀) exhibiting approximately 2362-fold enhancement. In addition, the probe is highly sensitive (with the detection limit of 0.12 μM) and highly selective to Fe³⁺ over other biologically relevant metal ions. The sensing reaction product of the probe with Fe³⁺ was confirmed by NMR spectra and mass spectrometry. TD-DFT calculation has demonstrated that the ratiometric response of probe 1 to Fe³⁺ is due to the regulation of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) efficiency. Moreover, the practical utility in fluorescence detection of Fe³⁺ in human blood serum was also conducted, and probe 1 represents the first ratiometric fluorescent probe that can be used to monitor Fe³⁺ level in human blood serum. Finally, probe 1 was further employed in living cell imaging with pancreatic cancer cells, in which it displayed low cytotoxicity, satisfactory cell permeability, and selective ratiometric response to Fe³⁺.     

Ratiometric fluorescence-based dissolved carbon dioxide sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications

The focus of this work is on the development and characterisation of a fluorescence-based ratiometric sol–gel-derived dissolved carbon dioxide (dCO₂) sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications. Fluorescence-based dCO₂ sensors are attractive as they facilitate the development of portable and low-cost systems that can be easily deployed outside the laboratory environment. The sensor developed for this work exploits a pH fluorescent dye 1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid, ion-paired with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (HPTS-IP), which has been entrapped in a hybrid sol–gel-based matrix derived from n-propyltriethoxysilane along with the liphophilic organic base. The sensor spot deposited on a cover slip has been interrogated with a robust, ratiometric optical probe that combines effective fluorescence excitation and detection and thus facilitates the production of a highly sensitive sensor system using low-cost optoelectronic components. The probe design involves the use of dual-LED excitation in order to facilitate ratiometric operation and uses a silicon PIN photodiode. HPTS-IP exhibits two pH-dependent changes in excitation bands, which allows for dual excitation ratiometric detection as an indirect measure of the dCO₂. Such measurements are insensitive to changes in dye concentration, leaching and photobleaching of the fluorophore and instrument fluctuations unlike unreferenced fluorescence intensity measurements. The performance of the sensor system is characterised by a high degree of repeatability, reversibility and stability. Calculated limit of detection for the sensor was 35 ppb. The sensor probe was used to monitor dCO₂ levels in a laboratory-based aquatic habitat, and the expected diurnal pattern was clearly visible. The influence of temperature, biofouling and photobleaching on sensor performance has been also investigated.     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for real-time monitoring of intracellular glutathione fluctuations in response to cisplatin

Real-time imaging of fluctuations in intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentrations is critical to understanding the mechanism of GSH-related cisplatin-resistance. Here, we describe a ratiometric fluorescence probe based on a reversible Michael addition reaction of GSH with the vinyl-functionalized boron-dipyrromethene (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene or BODIPY) 1. The probe was applied for real-time monitoring of the fluctuations in GSH levels in cells under cisplatin treatment. Notably, in cellular cisplatin-sensitive A549 cells, GSH concentrations rose until cell death, while in cisplatin-resistant cell lines, GSH levels first rose to the maximum then fell back to the initial concentration without significant apoptosis. These results indicate that different trends in GSH fluctuation can help distinguish cisplatin-resistant from cisplatin-sensitive cells. As such, this study has shown that probe 1 may potentially be used for real-time monitoring of intracellular GSH levels in response to therapeutics.

Real-time imaging of intracellular glutathione in response to cisplatin by a ratiometric fluorescent probe reveals that the different trends in intracellular GSH levels is crucial in distinguishing cisplatin-resistant from cisplatin-sensitive cells.     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for palladium detection based on an allyl carbonate group functionalized hemicyanine dye

A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe for palladium species was synthesized based on an allyl carbonate group, a novel reaction site, and a hemicyanine dye. The probe displays relatively rapid response, high selectivity, and anti-disturbance toward palladium in HEPES buffers without additional reagents. The detection mechanism, palladium triggers the cleavage of allyl carbonate in the probe and then decarboxylation of the product to induce the ratiometric fluorescence response, was verified using UV–vis and mass spectrometry analysis. The probe was successfully applied for ratiometric fluorescent detection of palladium in tap water, river water, and in fetal bovine serum.