Mitochondria‐Targeted Cancer Therapy Using a Light‐Up Probe with Aggregation‐Induced‐Emission Characteristics |
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| Authors: | Dr. Qinglian Hu Dr. Meng Gao Guangxue Feng Prof.Dr. Bin Liu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585 (Singapore);2. Institute of Materials Research Engineering (A*STAR), 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602 (Singapore) |
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| Abstract: | Subcellular organelle‐specific reagents for simultaneous tumor targeting, imaging, and treatment are of enormous interest in cancer therapy. Herein, we present a mitochondria‐targeting probe (AIE‐mito‐TPP) by conjugating a triphenylphosphine (TPP) with a fluorogen which can undergo aggregation‐induced emission (AIE). Owing to the more negative mitochondrial membrane potential of cancer cells than normal cells, the AIE‐mito‐TPP probe can selectively accumulate in cancer‐cell mitochondria and light up its fluorescence. More importantly, the probe exhibits selective cytotoxicity for studied cancer cells over normal cells. The high potency of AIE‐mito‐TPP correlates with its strong ability to aggregate in mitochondria, which can efficiently decrease the mitochondria membrane potential and increase the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. The mitochondrial light‐up probe provides a unique strategy for potential image‐guided therapy of cancer cells. |
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| Keywords: | aggregation‐induced emission bioimaging cancer cells imaging agents mitochondria |
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