Europium(III) chelate-dyed nanoparticles as donors in a homogeneous proximity-based immunoassay for estradiol

Nanoparticles containing thousands of fluorescent europium(III) chelates have a very high specific activity compared to traditional lanthanide chelate labels. It can be assumed that if these particles are used in a homogeneous assay as donors, multiple chelates can excite a single acceptor in turns and the energy transfer to the acceptor is increased. The principle was employed in an immunoassay using luminescent resonance energy transfer from a long lifetime europium(III) chelate-dyed nanoparticle to a short lifetime, near-infrared fluorescent molecule. Due to energy transfer fluorescence lifetime of the sensitised emission was prolonged and fluorescence could be measured using a time-resolved detection.A competitive homogeneous immunoassay for estradiol was created using 92 nm europium(III) chelate-dyed nanoparticle coated with 17β-estradiol specific recombinant antibody Fab fragments as a donor and estradiol conjugated with near-infrared dye AlexaFluor 680 as an acceptor. The density of Fab fragments on the surface of the particle influenced the sensitivity of the immunoassay. The optimal Fab density was reached when the entire surface of the particle participated in the energy transfer, but the areas where the energy was transferred to a single acceptor, did not overlap. We were able to detect estradiol concentrations down to 70 pmol l⁻¹ (3×SD of a standard containing 0 nmol l⁻¹ of E2) using a 96-well platform. In this study we demonstrated that nanoparticles containing lanthanide chelates could be used as efficient donors in homogeneous assays.     

Europium(III)-chelates embedded in nanoparticles are protected from interfering compounds present in assay media

Lanthanide chelates are excellent labels in ligand binding assays due to their long lifetime fluorescence, which enables efficient background reduction using time-resolved measurement. In separation-free homogeneous assays, however, some compounds in the sample may cause quenching of the lanthanide fluorescence and extra steps are required before these samples can be measured. In this study we have evaluated whether europium chelates packed inside a polystyrene nanoparticle are better protected from the environment than individual Eu(III)-chelates, and do these particles have higher tolerance against known interfering compounds (bivalent metal ions and variation of pH). We also tested whether metal ions had any effect on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based detection of a bioaffinity binding reaction. The presence of metal ions or variation of pH did not affect the fluorescence of the Eu(III)-chelate dyed nanoparticles, while significant decrease of the fluorescence was detected with a 9-dentate Eu(III)-chelate. Metal ions also decreased the fluorescence lifetime of the 9-dentate Eu(III)-chelate from 0.960 to 0.050 ms. Coloured metal ions caused a minor decrease in sensitised emission generated by FRET when Eu(III)-chelate dyed nanoparticles were used as donor labels. The decreased signal was due to the absorption of the sensitised emission by the coloured metal ions, since the metal ions had no effect on the lifetime of the sensitised emission. Thus the Eu(III)-chelate dyed nanoparticles are preferred labels in homogeneous bioaffinity assays, when interfering compounds are known to be present.     

Comparison of infrared-excited up-converting phosphors and europium nanoparticles as labels in a two-site immunoassay

Research in the field of immunoassays and labels used in the detection has been recently focused on particulate reporters, which possess very high specific activity that excludes the label as a sensitivity limiting factor. However, the large size and shape of the particulate labels may produce additional problems to immunoassay performance. The aim of this work was to study with two identical non-competitive two-site immunoassays whether up-converting phosphor (UCP) particles are comparable in performance with europium(III) chelate-dyed nanoparticles as particulate labels. In addition we strived to verify the common assumption of the photostability of up-converting phosphor particles supporting their potential applicability in imaging. Detection limits in two-site immunoassay for free prostate-specific antigen (free-PSA) were 0.53 ng L⁻¹ and 1.3 ng L⁻¹ using two different up-converting phosphors and 0.16 ng L⁻¹ using europium(III) nanoparticle. Large size distribution and non-specific binding of up-converting phosphor particles caused assay variation in low analyte concentrations and limited the analytical detection limit. The non-specific binding was the major factor limiting the analytical sensitivity of the immunoassay. The results suggests the need for nanoscaled and uniformely sized UCP-particles to increace the sensitivity and applicability of up-converting phosphor particles. Anti-Stokes photoluminescence of up-converting phosphor particles did not photobleach when measured repeatedly, on the contrary, the time-resolved fluorescence of europium nanoparticles photobleached relatively rapidly.     

A high-throughput homogeneous immunoassay based on Förster resonance energy transfer between quantum dots and gold nanoparticles

A novel homogeneous immunoassay based on Förster resonance energy transfer for sensitive detection of tumor, e.g., marker with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), was proposed. The assay was consisted of polyclonal goat anti-CEA antibody labeled luminescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as donor and monoclonal goat anti-CEA antibody labeled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as acceptor. In presence of CEA, the bio-affinity between antigen and antibody made the QDs and AuNPs close enough, thus the photoluminescence (PL) quenching of CdTe QDs occurred. The PL properties could be transformed into the fluorometric variation, corresponding to the target antigen concentration, and could be easily monitored and analyzed with the home-made image analysis software. The fluorometric results indicated a linear detection range of 1–110 ng mL⁻¹ for CEA, with a detection limit of 0.3 ng mL⁻¹. The proposed assay configuration was attractive for carcinoma screening or single sample in point-of-care testing, and even field use. In spite of the limit of available model analyte, this approach could be easily extended to detection of a wide range of biomarkers.     

Self-assembled pi-nanotapes as donor scaffolds for selective and thermally gated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)

Self-assembled nanotapes of a few tailor-made oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s (OPVs) have been prepared and used as supramolecular donor scaffold to study the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to a suitable acceptor. In nonpolar solvents, FRET occurs with nearly 63-81% efficiency, exclusively from the self-assembled OPVs to entrapped Rhodamine B, resulting in the quenching of the donor emission with concomitant formation of the acceptor emission at 625 nm. The efficiency of FRET is considerably influenced by the ability of the OPVs to form the self-assembled aggregates and hence could be controlled by structural variation of the molecules, and polarity of the solvent. Most importantly, FRET could be controlled by temperature as a result of the thermally reversible self-assembly process. The FRET efficiency was significantly enhanced (ca. 90%) in a xerogel film of the OPV1 which is dispersed with relatively less amount of the acceptor (33 mol %), when compared to that of the aggregates in dodecane gel. FRET is not efficient in polar solvents due to weak self-organization of the chromophores. These results indicate that energy transfer occurs exclusively from the self-assembled donor and not directly from the individual donor molecules. The present study illustrates that the self-assembly of chromophores facilitates temperature and solvent controlled FRET within pi-conjugated nanostructures.     

Terbium (III) chelate complexes as fluorescence energy transfer donor in the determination of formaldehyde in aqueous solutions

The sensitized fluorescence intensity of the terbium (III) ion can be notably enhanced in the presence of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). Based on this, water-soluble Tb-SHMP chelate complexes were synthesized in aqueous solutions, and characterized by spectrofluorometry. 6-Mercapto-5-triazole[4,3-b]-S-tetrazine was generated by the quantitative reaction of HCHO with 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole under alkaline conditions at room temperature. The spectral overlap between the emission of Tb-SHMP chelate complexes and absorption of 6-mercapto-5-triazole[4,3-b]-S-tetrazine meets the prerequisite for fluorescence energy transfer. Based on this, a novel efficient fluorescence energy transfer system between Tb-SHMP chelate complexes as donor and 6-mercapto-5-triazole[4,3-b]-S-tetrazine as acceptor was developed for the determination of HCHO in aqueous solutions. Under the optimal experimental conditions, this method is capable of detecting HCHO concentrations from 2.06×10(-5) to 6.18×10(-3) mg mL(-1) and the limit of detection was 7.11×10(-6) mg mL(-1). Compared with other general methods for the determination of HCHO, the proposed method improved the sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of HCHO in water samples.     

Water soluble chromone Schiff base derivatives as fluorescence receptor for aluminium(III)

A novel water-soluble chromone Schiff base derivatives bearing polyhydroxylated moiety were prepared and applied for specific recognition of metal ions in aqueous medium. Their selective fluorescence response to Al(III) over a variety of other biologically important metal ions were demonstrated. Electronic parameters of the sensors were also studied by quantum chemical computations.     

Upconversion nanoparticle-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay for Cr(III) ions in urine

A novel assay of chromium(III) ion based on upconversion fluorescence resonance energy transfer was designed and established. Lysine-capped NaYF₄:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and dimercaptosuccinic acid-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as the energy donor and acceptor, respectively. They were bound together via electrostatic interaction, resulting in the quenching of the fluorescence of UCNPs by AuNPs. Chromium(III) ions can specifically and strongly interact with dimercaptosuccinic acid that was modified on the surface of AuNPs, leading to the separation of AuNPs from UCNPs and the recovery of fluorescence of UCNPs. The fluorescence recovery of UCNPs showed a good linear response to Cr³⁺ concentration in the range of 2–500 nM with a detection limit of 0.8 nM. This method was further applied to determine the levels of Cr³⁺ in urine. Compared with other fluorescence methods, current method displayed very high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio because of the excitation of near-infrared that can eliminate autofluorescence, providing a promising examination of biological samples for the diagnostic purposes.     

Synthesis of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with novel pyridine dicarboxylic acid derivatives and their fluorescence properties

Starting from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (DPA), a series of novel pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized. In these compounds, 4-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (4-HMDPA) and 4-[(bis-carboxymethyl-amino)-methyl]-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (4-BMDPA) were used as multifunctional ligands to coordinate with Tb(III) and Eu(III) and the complexes were prepared. The fluorescence properties of the solid complexes and their solutions were investigated in detail. The results indicated that the weak election-withdrawing group 4-hydroxymethyl in 4-position of pyridine in 4-HMDPA could weaken the fluorescence intensity of the lanthanide complexes. The contradistinctive experimental results showed that the fluorescence intensities of these complexes are related to pH values of the aqueous solutions and the dipole moments of solvent molecules: in the neutral aqueous solutions, the fluorescence intensities of these complexes were strongest, while the dipole moments were lower when the fluorescence intensities were stronger. 4-BMDPA is the better sensitizer and may be used as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. __________ Translated from Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2006, 27(3) (in Chinese)     

基于钙黄绿素－臧红T荧光共振能量转移检测六偏磷酸钠

在pH8．5的Tris－HCl缓冲溶液中,钙黄绿素作为能量供体（D）可以与藏红T受体（A）发生有效的荧光共振能量转移（FRET）,但加入六偏磷酸钠（SHMP）后,因其与受体发生静电作用破坏了该能量转移体系,使得荧光供体钙黄绿素荧光强度的增加（△FD）与受体藏红T荧光强度的降低（△FA）的比值（△FD／△R）-9SHMP浓度（csHMP）呈良好的线性关系．基于此,建立了一种检测六偏磷酸盐的新方法．在优化条件下,该方法的检测范围为3．0×10^-6-1．0×10^-5mol／L,对6．0×10拍mol／L的六偏磷酸盐连续平行测定11次,其相对标准偏差（RSD）为3．1％．该方法具有选择性好、操作简单和检测速度快等优点,已成功应用于饮料中六偏磷酸钠的分析检测．     

Diheteroarylethenes as thermally stable photoswitchable acceptors in photochromic fluorescence resonance energy transfer (pcFRET)

We have employed diheteroarylethenes as acceptors for photochromic FRET (pcFRET), a technique introduced for the quantitative determination of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). In pcFRET, the fluorescent emission of the donor is modulated by cyclical transformations of a photochromic acceptor. Light induces a reversible change in the structure and, concomitantly, in the absorption properties of the acceptor. Only the closed forms of the selected diheteroarylethenes 2a and 2b have an absorption band overlapping the emission band of the donor, 1. The corresponding variation in the overlap integral (and thus critical transfer distance R(o)) between the two states provides the means for reversibly switching the process of FRET on and off, allowing direct and repeated evaluation of the relative changes in the donor fluorescence quantum yield. The diheteroarylethenes demonstrate excellent stability in aqueous media, an absence of thermal back reactions, and negligible fatigue. The equilibration of these systems after exposure to near-UV or visible light follows simple monoexponential kinetics. We developed a general conceptual scheme for such coupled photochromic-FRET reactions, allowing quantitative interpretations of the photostationary and kinetic data, from which the quantum yields for the cyclization and cycloreversion reactions of the photochromic acceptor were calculated.     

Formation and dissociation kinetics of Eu(III) complexes with H5do3ap and similar dota-like ligands

Complexation kinetics of the europium(III)-H₅do3ap complex (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic-10-(methylphosphonic acid)) was studied at 25 °C and I = 0.1 M KCl and compared with the analogous H₄dota-like ligands. The mechanism of the formation reactions between the europium(III) ion and H₃do3a, H₄dota and H₄dota analogs having one methylphosphonic (H₅do3ap) or phosphinic acid pendant arms with a propionate side chain (H₅do3ap^PrA) was proposed on the basis of TRLIFS measurements. The experimental data of the dissociation kinetics of the europium(III) complexes with H₅do3ap and H₅do3ap^PrA ligands show that there is no change in reactivity of the complexes due to the side chain of the phosphinic acid bifunctional chelate. The TRLIFS study of the proton-assisted decomplexation reaction of the europium(III) complexes with H₃do3a, H₄dota, H₅do3ap and H₅do3ap^PrA demonstrates different behaviour influenced by a change in the number of water molecules during the reaction. The advantages and disadvantages of the TRLIFS methodology as a new experimental technique for simultaneous evaluation of kinetics and reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Laser-induced fluorescence and infrared spectroscopic studies on the specific solvation of tris(1-(2-thienyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-butanedionato)europium(III) in an ionic liquid

The extraction constant and the two-phase stability constant (K_D,Mβ₃) of tris(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato)europium(III) between 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) as an ionic liquid and an aqueous phase were determined by considering the extraction equilibria including anionic tetrakis(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato)europate(III). Specific solute-solvent interactions between the neutral Eu(III) chelate and [C₄mim][Tf₂N] molecules were revealed from the relationships between the distribution constant of the enol form of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) as a proton chelate and the distribution constant (K_D,M) of the neutral Eu(III) chelate because the [C₄mim][Tf₂N] system gave the high K_D,Mβ₃ value compared with those in conventional molecular solvents such as benzene and 1,2-dichloroethane. The coordination environment of Eu³⁺ in the neutral Eu(III) chelate in [C₄mim][Tf₂N] was investigated by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy. Both methods consistently indicated that not only the Eu(III) chelate extracted but also Eu(tta)₃(H₂O)₃ synthesized as a solid crystal were almost completely dehydrated in [C₄mim][Tf₂N] saturated with water. Consequently, the higher K_D,M or extractability of the neutral Eu(III) chelate in the [C₄mim][Tf₂N] system can be ascribed to the dehydration of the Eu(III) chelate, which is caused by the specific solvation with [C₄mim][Tf₂N] molecules.     

Energy transfer between 1,3-dimethylxanthine and europium(III) in aqueous solution

Luminescence of 1,3-dimethylxanthine in solution is impaired owing to collisional deactivation by solvent molecules and matrix interferences. Energy absorbed by 1,3-dimethylxanthine has been transferred to trivalent europium which emits narrow-band radiation in a region distant from background interferences. The enhanced luminescence of trivalent europium was utilized for the determination of 1,3-dimethylxanthine in buffered aqueous solution. An analytically useful range from 1.1 × 10^?5?5.0 × 10^?4 M and a detection limit of 1.1 × 10^?5 M were obtained. The methodology for the analytical procedure was determined.     

A photochromic acceptor as a reversible light-driven switch in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)

A method has been developed for the quantitative determination of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based on the modulation of donor fluorescence upon the reversible photoconversion of a photochromic acceptor. A model system was devised, consisting of Lucifer Yellow cadaverine (LYC, donor) conjugated to the photochromic molecule, 6-nitroBIPS (1′,3′-dihydro-1′-(2-carboxyethyl)-3′,3′-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2′-(2H)-indoline]). Near-ultraviolet irradiation catalyzes the conversion of the colorless spiropyran (SP) to the colored merocyanine (MC) form of 6-nitroBIPS. Only the MC form absorbs at the emission wavelengths of the donor, thereby potentiating FRET, as demonstrated by quenching of the donor. Subsequent irradiation in the visible MC absorption band reverts 6-nitroBIPS to the SP form and FRET is inactivated. The acceptor exhibited high photostability under repeated cycles of alternating UV–Vis irradiation. In this model system, the intramolecular FRET efficiency was close to 100%. The observed maximal donor quenching of 34±3% was indicative of an equilibrium determined by the high quantum efficiency of forward conversion (SP→MC) induced by near-UV irradiation and a low but finite quantum efficiency of the back reaction resulting from excitation of the MC form directly as well as indirectly (by FRET via the donor). A quantitative formalism for the photokinetic scheme was developed. Photochromic FRET (pcFRET) permits repeated, quantitative, and non-destructive FRET determinations for arbitrary relative concentrations of donor and acceptor and thus offers great potential for monitoring dynamic molecular interactions in living cells over extended observation times by fluorescence microscopy.     

Excitation energy transfer in poly(p-phenylphenylenevinylene) determined by polarized fluorescence spectroscopy

Polarized fluorescence spectroscopy is used to investigate the photophysical behavior of poly(p-phenylphenylenevinylene) (PPPV) in polystyrene matrix in comparison with oligomeric model compounds. For this purpose PPPV is modeled by a chain consisting of a distribution of independent oligomeric segments. Excitation energy transfer (EET) between the segments depends on the wavelength of excitation, not only for transfer along an isolated polymer chain, but also for intermolecular transfer at high concentration of PPPV. The spatial range of EET, as indicated by fluorescence depolarization, is reduced for excitation at the long wavelength edge of the absorption spectrum (“red-edge-effect”). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Comparison of synchronous and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy applied to the Eu(III)-fulvate complexation

The complexation of europium ion (Eu(III)) with a soil fulvic acid (FA) has been studied at pH 5 in 0.01 M NaClO₄ by different experimental methods, i.e. synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SyFS) and time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). A series of SyFS quenching spectra was obtained by increasing the Eu(III) concentration and keeping the FA concentration constant. The emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of the Eu(III) bound to the FA were also measured by a TRLFS system using the same solution used in the SyFS spectral measurement. From the analysis of the fluorescence data obtained by the SyFS and the TRLFS using a non-linear least-squares method, the concentration of the binding sites (C_L) of the FA accessible for the Eu(III) and the corresponding conditional stability constants (log K) were estimated. The two different methods gave rise to constants being comparable with one another. The log K and C_L values (mean ± standard deviation of three determinations) determined by the SyFS were 6.4 ± 0.2 (6.7 ± 0.1 μmol L⁻¹: by the TRLFS) and 10 ± 1 μmol L⁻¹ (7 ± 1 μmol L⁻¹: by the TRLFS), respectively. The applicability of the FA fluorescence quenching techniques for estimating the europium binding parameters was proved by the direct monitoring of the Eu(III) bound to the FA using the TRLFS system.     

Energy transfer in zinc porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterotrimer and heterononamer studied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)

Two or eight zinc triphenyl porphyrins were conjugated with Zn-phthalocyanine or H2-phthalocyanine to form ZnPc-(ZnTPP)2, ZnPc-(ZnTPP)8, H2Pc-(ZnTPP)2 and H2Pc-(ZnTPP)8. Energy transfers from the porphyrin moiety to phthalocyanine part were quantitatively studied with the modality of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). By measuring the fluorescence increment from the phthalocyanine moiety and the decrease from porphyrin part under selective excitation at the B band of the porphyrin part in those conjugated compounds and their equimolar mixture of compositions, energy transfer efficiencies were estimated to be 90% for H2Pc-(ZnTPP)8 and ZnPc-(ZnTPP)8, and 60%, 30% for ZnPc-(ZnTPP)2 and H2Pc-(ZnTPP)2, respectively.     

Crystal structure and fluorescence spectrum of the complex [Eu(III)(TTA)3(phen)]

The title complex Eu(III)(TTA)₃(phen) (where TTA = thenoyltrifluoroacetone monoanion; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) has been synthesized in mixed solvents of acetone and ethanol (1:1 volume ratio) and its crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex crystals are triclinic, space group P 1 (# 2) with cell dimensions of a = 1.32.41 (2) nm, b = 1.5278(4) nm, c = 0.9755(3) nm, α = 92.49 (2)°, β = 102.57(2)°, γ = 91.62(2)°, V = 1.9268(8) nm³, Z = 2, μ (Mo Ka)= 18.77 cm^?1, D_x=1.720 g/cm³. The coordination geometry of Eu atom is a distorted square antiprism, and the encapsulated structure that can meet the structural requirement of the typical europium luminescent sensor. The fluorescence spectrum suggests that the complex is a strong photoluminescent material.     

Luminescence and energy transfer in poly(N-vinylcarbazole) blends doped by a highly anisometric Eu(III) complex

Highly fluorescent blends based on PVK (poly(N-vinylcarbazole)) doped by a new greatly anisometric Eu(III) mesogenic complex were described. The structure of the ligands in the complex was selected in such a way that its absorption maximum was close to the emission maximum of the polymer. The full-energy transfer conditions in the conjugated polymer–lanthanide complex blends were revealed. Improving luminescence efficiency of the blend occurs due to an increase in the threshold concentration of the emitting ions to prevent self-quenching phenomena. The resulting relative luminescence quantum yield of the blend increases more than twice in comparison with the individual complex. The optimized blends may be promising for application as red emitters for OLED, etc.