Cover Picture: Nanomaterials for Fluorescence and Multimodal Bioimaging (Chem. Rec. 3/2023)

Bioconjugated nanomaterials replace molecular probes in bioanalysis and bioimaging in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles of silica, metals, semiconductors, polymers, and supramolecular systems, conjugated with contrast agents and drugs for image-guided (MRI, fluorescence, PET, Raman, SPECT, photodynamic, photothermal, and photoacoustic) therapy infiltrate into preclinical and clinical settings. Small bioactive molecules like peptides, proteins, or DNA conjugated to the surfaces of drugs or probes help us to interface them with cells and tissues. Nevertheless, the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of nanodrugs, nanoprobes, and their components become the clinical barriers, underscoring the significance of developing biocompatible next-generation drugs and contrast agents. This account provides state-of-the-art advancements in the preparation and biological applications of bioconjugated nanomaterials and their molecular, cell, and in vivo applications. It focuses on the preparation, bioimaging, and bioanalytical applications of monomodal and multimodal nanoprobes composed of quantum dots, quantum clusters, iron oxide nanoparticles, and a few rare earth metal ion complexes.     

Fluorous Tagged Peptides for Intracellular Delivery and Biomedical Imaging

Fluorous tagged peptides have shown promising features for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and multimodal imaging. The bioconjugation of fluoroalkyl ligands onto cargo peptides greatly enhances their proteolytic stability and membrane penetration via a proposed “fluorine effect”. The tagged peptides also efficiently deliver other biomolecules such as DNA and siRNA into cells via a co-assembly strategy. The fluoroalkyl chains on peptides with antifouling properties enable efficient gene delivery in the presence of serum proteins. Besides intracellular biomolecule delivery, the amphiphilic peptides can be used to stabilized perfluorocarbon-filled microbubbles for ultrasound imaging. The fluorine nucleus on fluoroalkyls provides intrinsic probes for background-free magnetic resonance imaging. Labeling of fluorous tags with radionuclide ¹⁸F also allows tracing the biodistribution of peptides via positron emission tomography imaging. This mini-review will discuss properties and mechanism of the fluorous tagged peptides in these applications.     

扩展基于AD9874数字接收机谱宽的二次抽取算法

针对基于AD9874芯片的数字接收机的最小谱宽和谱宽允许设置的数目均不能满足常规临床用磁共振成像技术的要求,本文从软件角度提出了一种扩展数字接收机谱宽的二次抽取算法. 该算法具体实现过程主要包括两个步骤：(1) 自适应过采样倍率和自动谱宽调整;(2) 数字滤波和抽取. 为了验证这个二次抽取算法的有效性,本文分别用单脉冲实验和磁共振成像实验加以了验证.     

Long-term super-resolution imaging of mitochondrial dynamics

Monitoring dynamics of mitochondria has become an essential approach to explore the function of mitochondria in living cells with the emergence of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. However, long-term super-resolution imaging of mitochondria is still challenging due to the lack of photostable fluorescent probes and stable mitochondria-specific markers which are not affected by the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential. Here, we introduce a method for long-term imaging mitochondrial dynamic through the SNAP-tag fluorogenic probe based on 4-azetidinyl-naphthalimide derivatives. Using structured illumination microscopy (SIM), we observed the fusion and fission of mitochondria over a course of 16 min at 109 nm resolution. Furthermore, the interactions as well as fusion between mitochondria and lysosomes were studied during mitophagy at the nanoscale. Convincingly, the combination of SNAP-tag fluorogenic probes and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy will offer a new way to monitor dynamic mitochondria in living cells.     

Monitoring intracellular pH fluctuation with an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor

Intracellular pH is a key parameter related to various biological and pathological processes. In this study, a ratiometric pH fluorescent sensor ABTT was developed harnessing the amino-type excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Relying on whether the ESIPT proceeds normally or not, ABTT exhibited the yellow fluorescence in acidic media, or cyan fluorescence in basic condition. According to the variation, ABTT behaved as a promising sensor which possessed fast and reversible response to pH change without interference from the biological substances, and exported a steady ratiometric signal (I₄₇₈/I₅₄₆). Moreover, due to the ESIPT effect, large Stokes shift and high quantum yield were also exhibited in ABTT. Furthermore, ABTT was applied for monitoring the pH changes in living cells and visualizing the pH fluctuations under oxidative stress successfully. These results elucidated great potential of ABTT in understanding pH-dependent physiological and pathological processes.     

细菌感染成像的研究进展

由致病菌或条件致病菌侵入机体繁殖而产生的毒素和其它代谢产物所引起的感染性疾病是目前全球范围内的主要死亡原因之一. 感染性疾病的早期诊断是对其进行有效治疗与控制的重要途径. 分子影像技术的快速发展给体内细菌感染的评估带来了前所未有的变化和机遇. 本文综合评述了计算机断层扫描、 正电子发射断层扫描、 超声成像、 磁共振成像、 荧光成像及光声成像等成像方式在细菌感染体内成像中的研究进展、 不足和发展方向等, 以期为活体细菌感染检测方法的发展提供参考.     

CeO2修饰Ni3S2纳米片用于高效电催化析氧

电化学水分解制氢作为重要的生产氢能的新能源技术,包括氢气析出反应(HER)和氧气析出反应(OER).然而,OER进行的是多步电子转移过程,动力学过程缓慢且过电位高,严重制约了电解水制氢的发展.因此开发低成本、高效稳定的非贵金属催化剂替代贵金属催化剂(RuO2,IrO2)来降低过电位,减少能源消耗十分必要.Ni₃S₂由于其高导电性、高活性、低成本等优点,具有作为贵金属催化剂替代品的广阔应用前景,但其OER性能仍需进一步提高.对已有的有效OER催化剂进行表界面调控是提高催化剂性能的一种有效策略.CeO₂中的Ce3+和Ce4+价态之间可以灵活过渡,使其具有良好的电子/离子导电性、可逆的表面氧离子交换和较高的储氧能力.CeO₂的多价性使其有机会与其它基质产生强烈的电子相互作用,良好的电子/离子导电性和较高的储氧能力是提高催化剂析氧活性的有利因素.因此,用CeO₂对Ni₃S₂进行修饰是提高其析氧活性的有效途径.基于此,本文运用水热和电沉积相结合的方法将CeO₂修饰到Ni₃S₂纳米片上,制备得到生长于泡沫镍上的Ni₃S₂-CeO₂纳米片阵列(Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF),并运用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等手段进行了表征,以三电极系统测试了其电催化析氧性能及稳定性,并通过密度泛函理论计算进行了验证.XRD结果表明,复合材料中确实存在Ni₃S₂和CeO₂.通过SEM发现,泡沫镍基底上均匀分布着Ni₃S₂纳米片阵列;电沉积CeO₂后,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂仍保持其纳米片特性,但表面变得粗糙.Ni₃S₂-CeO₂的TEM结果也证实了纳米片结构的形成,高分辨率TEM图像清晰的显示出Ni₃S₂和CeO₂之间具有明显的界面.XPS结果表明,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂的Ni 2p的结合能与Ni₃S₂相比出现负位移.与纯CeO₂的Ce 3d谱图相比,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂杂化体系中Ce4+的比例明显增加,表明Ce的价态发生了重排,部分电子转移给了Ni元素.这些结果均说明Ni₃S₂与CeO₂之间存在着较强的电子相互作用.相应的电催化测试结果显示,在1.0 M KOH中,当电流密度达到20 mA cm^–2时,Ni₃S₂/NF需提供356 mV的过电位,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF只需264 mV的过电位,仅次于RuO2/NF.而且,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF在中性条件下也显示出了较理想的析氧活性.Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF的Tafel斜率明显低于CeO₂/NF和Ni₃S₂/NF,表明其具有良好的OER反应动力学.循环伏安法和计时电位法结果均表明,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF具有良好的电化学稳定性.电化学阻抗谱测试结果表明,与Ni₃S₂/NF和CeO₂/NF相比,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF明显具有更小的半圆直径,说明其电荷转移阻抗更小,进一步表明CeO₂的修饰有助于催化过程中电子的快速转移.在非法拉第区域的循环伏安扫描曲线以及拟合扫描速度对电容电流曲线结果显示,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF的最大电容值大于CeO₂/NF和Ni₃S₂/NF,表明其暴露了更多的活性位点,具有更大的电化学活性表面积;而且,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF在400和500 mV时的电催化析氧转换频率明显高于Ni₃S₂/NF和CeO₂/NF,进一步说明Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF具有更高的本征催化活性.密度泛函理论计算表明,由于^*OH,^*O和^*OOH与Ni₃S₂-CeO₂中的Ni和Ce原子相互作用的存在,使得反应中间产物与Ni₃S₂-CeO₂之间的结合强度较纯Ni₃S₂或CeO₂强,使其显示出了更高的OER性能.在经过24 h连续电解后,SEM和TEM结果均表明,Ni₃S₂-CeO₂/NF材料仍保持了其纳米片形貌.稳定性测试后的XPS结果表明,Ni 2p对应的峰强度降低,而与氧化镍物种对应的峰强度增强;S元素在Ni₃S₂-CeO₂表面的信号强度明显降低.根据文献报道,在强烈的氧化环境下,过渡金属硫化物会部分转化为氧化物或氢氧化物,这通常被认为是OER过程的实际催化物种.     

Expanding the Ligand Classes Used for Mn(II) Complexation: Oxa-aza Macrocycles Make the Difference

We report two macrocyclic ligands based on a 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 platform functionalized with acetate (tO2DO2A²⁻) or piperidineacetamide (tO2DO2AM^Pip) pendant arms and a detailed characterization of the corresponding Mn(II) complexes. The X−ray structure of [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)]·2H₂O shows that the metal ion is coordinated by six donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and one water molecule, to result in seven-coordination. The Cu(II) analogue presents a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of the complexes formed with Mn(II) and other biologically relevant metal ions (Mg(II), Ca(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) were determined using potentiometric titrations (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). The conditional stabilities of Mn(II) complexes at pH 7.4 are comparable to those reported for the cyclen-based tDO2A²⁻ ligand. The dissociation of the Mn(II) chelates were investigated by evaluating the rate constants of metal exchange reactions with Cu(II) under acidic conditions (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). Dissociation of the [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)] complex occurs through both proton− and metal−assisted pathways, while the [Mn(tO2DO2AM^Pip)(H₂O)] analogue dissociates through spontaneous and proton-assisted mechanisms. The Mn(II) complex of tO2DO2A²⁻ is remarkably inert with respect to its dissociation, while the amide analogue is significantly more labile. The presence of a water molecule coordinated to Mn(II) imparts relatively high relaxivities to the complexes. The parameters determining this key property were investigated using ¹⁷O NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) transverse relaxation rates and ¹H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles.     

Advanced Nanomaterials for Multimodal Molecular Imaging

The development of multimodal molecular imaging contrast agents based on versatile nanomaterials has recently attracted much attention in disease diagnosis and therapeutic delivery. Contrast agents made from nanoparticles and used for multimodal imaging in vivo provide a multidimensional pathophysiological overview of diseases. This review summarizes recently developed advanced nanomaterials for multimodal molecular imaging. We comprehensively discuss these nanoparticle contrast agents in terms of their targeting modalities, limitations in clinical translation and future directions.     

单颗粒光散射显微成像技术在生化医药分析中的应用

等离子体纳米颗粒(PNPs)具有体积小、易表面修饰、生物相容性好、毒性低等优点,在生物传感、生物成像、疾病诊断、肿瘤治疗、材料科学等领域得到了广泛的应用。PNPs的光散射光学性质可以通过调节其大小、组成、形貌和微环境来控制,可用于生化和药物分析。此外,由于单粒子散射显微技术具有高空间分辨率和高灵敏度,借助PNPs具有的独特局域表面等离子体共振(LSPR)特性,可在单颗粒水平进行实时成像。根据PNPs的大小、组成、形态、微环境或耦合变化引起的信号变化,研究人员发展了多种显微成像分析方法,主要分为4种,包括散射光谱的波长位移、单粒子散射强度的变化、高通量RGB分析和计数方法。基于纳米颗粒LSPR散射光谱位移变化的方法准确、灵敏,但需要昂贵的单颗粒散射光谱仪和复杂的操作。基于纳米颗粒散射强度变化的方法简单可行,但易受纳米颗粒粒径和曝光时间等因素的影响。高通量RGB分析方法灵敏度高、成本低,但不适用于颜色变化不明显的单颗粒分析,且重复性差。单粒子计数法灵敏度高,但有时粒子分布不均匀,背景杂质的干扰限制了方法的准确度。因此,这4种定量方法各有优缺点。此外,近年来逐渐发展了一些新的定量方法。例如,研究人员开发了新的时间分辨分析定量方法,并将暗场显微镜与偏振器、滤光片等光学器件相结合以消除背景干扰,以及与电化学、拉曼等仪器相结合以扩大应用范围。此外,为提高分析方法的准确度和灵敏度,暗场显微镜与深度学习、云计算、人工智能等现代计算机科学技术的结合,越来越受到人们的欢迎。基于以上原因,该文重点介绍了单粒子光散射显微镜在生化和药物分析领域的应用,总结了近年来的最新研究进展,讨论了单粒子光散射显微镜在定量分析中的几种主要定量方法,提出了未来的发展趋势,以期为相关研究领域的新人提供一定的学术参考。