Synthesis and Supramolecular Functional Assemblies of Ratiometric pH Probes

Tracking pH with spatiotemporal resolution is a critical challenge for synthetic chemistry, chemical biology and beyond. Over the last decade, different small probes and supramolecular systems have emerged for in cellulo or in vivo pH tracking. However, pH reporting still presents critical limitations, such as background reduction, improved sensor stability, cell targeting, endosomal escape, near- and far-infrared ratiometric pH tracking and adaption to new imaging techniques (i.e., super-resolution). These challenges will require the combined efforts of synthetic and supramolecular chemistry working together to develop the next generation of smart materials that will resolve current limitations. Herein, recent advances in the synthesis of small fluorescent probes, together with new supramolecular functional systems employed for pH tracking, are described with an emphasis on ratiometric probes. The combination of organic synthesis and stimuli-responsive supramolecular functional materials will be essential to solve future challenges of pH tracking, such as improved signal to noise ratio, on target activation and microenvironment reporting.     

Discerning the Chemistry in Individual Organelles with Small‐Molecule Fluorescent Probes

Principle has it that even the most advanced super‐resolution microscope would be futile in providing biological insight into subcellular matrices without well‐designed fluorescent tags/probes. Developments in biology have increasingly been boosted by advances of chemistry, with one prominent example being small‐molecule fluorescent probes that not only allow cellular‐level imaging, but also subcellular imaging. A majority, if not all, of the chemical/biological events take place inside cellular organelles, and researchers have been shifting their attention towards these substructures with the help of fluorescence techniques. This Review summarizes the existing fluorescent probes that target chemical/biological events within a single organelle. More importantly, organelle‐anchoring strategies are described and emphasized to inspire the design of new generations of fluorescent probes, before concluding with future prospects on the possible further development of chemical biology.     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Near‐Infrared‐Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Cellular Hydrogen Sulfide and the Imaging of H2S in Mice

Herein, we report the development of two fluorescent probes for the highly selective and sensitive detection of H₂S. The probes take advantage of a Cu^II? cyclen complex, which acts as a reaction center for H₂S and as a quencher of BODIPY (boron‐dipyrromethene)‐based fluorophores with emissions at 765 and 680 nm, respectively. These non‐fluorescent probes could only be turned on by the addition of H₂S, and not by other potentially interfering biomolecules, including reactive oxygen species, cysteine, and glutathione. In a chemical system, both probes detected H₂S with a detection limit of 80 nM . The probes were successfully used for the endogenous detection of H₂S in HEK 293 cells, for measuring the H₂S‐release activity of dietary organosulfides in MCF‐7 cells, and for the in vivo imaging of H₂S in mice.     

基于功能核酸的细胞荧光成像

细胞是生物体基本的结构和功能单元,对活细胞中特定生物组分进行动态分析,将为相关生命活动过程的研究提供重要信息。荧光成像为细胞分析提供了一种操作简单、灵敏度高、可实时监测细胞微观动态分子过程的光学生物成像技术。发展高性能的荧光探针用于活细胞成像已成为研究热点。功能核酸是一类具有特殊化学和生物学功能的寡核苷酸分子,除了天然存在的核酶(Ribozyme)和核糖开关(Riboswitch)之外,还包括通过指数富集的配体系统进化技术(SELEX)筛选获得的核酸适体和脱氧核酶(DNAzyme)。功能核酸由于具有合成简单、免疫原性低、相对分子质量小、化学稳定性高、易于修饰等优点,在生物成像领域受到广泛关注。本文主要综述了基于功能核酸的荧光探针在细胞成像领域中的应用研究,总结了该领域面临的挑战,并对其未来发展方向进行了展望。     

Dextran Fluorescent Probes Containing Sulfadiazine and Rhodamine B Groups

Fluorescent imaging has been expanded, as a non-invasive diagnostic modality for cancers, in recent years. Fluorescent probes in the near-infrared window can provide high sensitivity, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio, without the use of ionizing radiation. Some fluorescent compounds with low molecular weight, such as rhodamine B (RhB) and indocyanine green (ICG), have been used in fluorescent imaging to improve imaging contrast and sensitivity; however, since these probes are excreted from the body quickly, they possess significant restrictions for imaging. To find a potential solution to this, this work investigated the synthesis and properties of novel macromolecular fluorescent compounds. Herein, water-soluble dextran fluorescent compounds (SD-Dextran-RhB) were prepared by the attachment of RhB and sulfadiazine (SD) derivatives to dextran carrier. These fluorescent compounds were then characterized through IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV, GPC, and other methods. Assays of their cellular uptake and cell cytotoxicity and fluorescent imaging were also performed. Through this study, it was found that SD-Dextran-RhB is sensitive to acidic conditions and possesses low cell cytotoxicities compared to normal 293 cells and HepG2 and HeLa tumor cells. Moreover, SD-Dextran-RhB demonstrated good fluorescent imaging in HepG2 and HeLa cells. Therefore, SD-Dextran-RhB is suitable to be potentially applied as a probe in the fluorescent imaging of tumors.     

基于聚集诱导发光荧光探针的细胞成像研究进展

荧光探针是化学传感技术领域在20世纪末的一项重大发现,具有合成简单、灵敏度高、选择性好、响应时间短、可视化高等优点。 将具有聚集诱导发光现象(AIE)特征的荧光基团与具有生物相容性的高分子结合起来,使得荧光材料具有毒性低、光稳定性好、生物相容性好等特点。 在分子、离子检测和细胞成像技术中得到广泛的研究和应用。 本文综述了细胞质成像、细胞膜成像、线粒体成像、溶酶体成像、脂滴成像、细胞核成像、细胞核和线粒体双靶向性成像的荧光探针,并对其应用前景做了展望。     

Recent advances in the development of activatable multifunctional probes for in vivo imaging of caspase-3

Caspases are a family of proteases that play critical roles in controlling inflammation and cell death.Apoptosis is a caspase-3 mainly controlled behavior to avoid inflammation and damage to surrounding cells,whereas anomalistic cell apoptosis may be associated with many diseases.The detection and imaging of caspase-3 will be of great significance in evaluating the early therapeutic effect of tumors.Developing smart fluorescent probes may be helpful for the visualization of the rapeutic effect compared with "always on" probes.Thus,more and more works toward activatable fluorescent probes for caspase-3 imaging have been reported.In addition,multifunctional probes have also been designed to further improve the imaging of caspase-3.Herein,this review systematically summarized the representative wo rk of caspase-3 from the perspective of molecular design that it will play a guiding role in the design of probes that respond to caspase-3.Also,challenges and perspectives toward the field for imaging of cell apoptosis(caspase-3) are also discussed.     

Fluorine-18 Labelled Radioligands for PET Imaging of Cyclooxygenase-2

Molecular imaging probes enable the early and accurate detection of disease-specific biomarkers and facilitate personalized treatment of many chronic diseases, including cancer. Among current clinically used functional imaging modalities, positron emission tomography (PET) plays a significant role in cancer detection and in monitoring the response to therapeutic interventions. Several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the crucial involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isozyme in cancer development and progression, making COX-2 a promising cancer biomarker. A variety of COX-2-targeting PET radioligands has been developed based on anti-inflammatory drugs and selective COX-2 inhibitors. However, many of those suffer from non-specific binding and insufficient metabolic stability. This article highlights examples of COX-2-targeting PET radioligands labelled with the short-lived positron emitter ¹⁸F, including radiosynthesis and PET imaging studies published in the last decade (2012–2021).     

基于磺酸酯的荧光探针用于活细胞内过氧化氢的成像检测

基于过氧化氢（H2O2）特异性催化水解磺酸酯,设计合成了新型绿色荧光探针：荧光素二磺酸酯（FS—1）和二氯荧光素二磺酸酯（FS-2）两种螺环内酯型化合物,用于活细胞内过氧化氢的检测．探针结构由元素分析、IR、^1H NMR及^13C NMR表征．实验表明：探针FS-1和FS-2在模拟生物体系中检测过氧化氢具有良好的选择性和灵敏度,且线性范围较宽．细胞成像显示：探针FS-1和FS-2用于PMA刺激或外加不同浓度H2O2孵育的小鼠腹膜巨噬细胞均呈现明亮的绿色荧光,且能对细胞内H2O2微摩尔级浓度变化产生响应,证明两探针均具有良好的膜渗透性、高的选择性及良好的灵敏度．该方法的建立对研究生物体内H2O2的产生,H2O2导致的各种疾病机制及H2O2介导的信号转导途径具有重要的理论及实际意义．     

Donor and Ring-Fusing Engineering for Far-Red to Near-Infrared Triphenylpyrylium Fluorophores with Enhanced Fluorescence Performance for Sensing and Imaging

Fluorescent probes have become an indispensable tool in the detection and imaging of biological and disease-related analytes due to their sensitivity and technical simplicity. In particular, fluorescent probes with far-red to near-infrared (FR-NIR) emissions are very attractive for biomedical applications. However, many available FR-NIR fluorophores suffer from small Stokes shifts and sometimes low quantum yields, resulting in self-quenching and low contrast. In this work, we describe the rational design and engineering of FR-NIR 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium-based fluorophores ( TPP-Fluors ) with the help of theoretical calculations. Our strategy is based on the appending of electron-donating substituents and fusing groups onto 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium. In contrast to the parent TPP with short emission wavelength, weak quantum yields, and low chemical stability, the obtained novel TPP-Fluors display some favorable properties, such as long-wavelength emission, large Stokes shifts, moderate to high quantum yields, and chemical stability. TPP-Fluors demonstrate their biological value as mitochondria-specific labeling reagents due to their inherently positive nature. In addition, TPP-Fluors can also be applied to develop ratiometric fluorescent probes, as the electron-donating ability of the 2,6-phenyl substituents is closely correlated with their emission wavelength. A proof-of-concept ratiometric probe has been developed by derivatizing the amino groups of TPP-Fluor for the detection and imaging of nitroreductase in vitro and in hypoxic cells.     

Activity-Based Genetically Encoded Fluorescent and Luminescent Probes for Detecting Formaldehyde in Living Cells

Formaldehyde (FA) is endogenously produced in living systems through a variety of biological processes and has been implicated in many pathological conditions. Detection tools for biological FA are therefore of great interest. Reported here are novel activity-based genetically encoded fluorescent and luminescent probes for detecting FA in aqueous solutions and living mammalian cells. A FA-reactive lysine analogue, PrAK, was site-specifically incorporated into the essential lysine sites of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase (fLuc) to afford fluorescent and luminescent FA probes, respectively. FA selectively reacts with PrAK residues on EGFP and fLuc through a 2-aza-Cope rearrangement, resulting in fluorescence and luminescence turn-on responses, respectively, to FA selectively over potentially interfering reactive species in aqueous buffer. Moreover, the genetically encoded probes are capable of visualizing FA at physiologically relevant levels in living mammalian cells by fluorescence and luminescence imaging, demonstrating their potential as new tools to explore FA biology.     

Development of a Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Probe for Imaging RNA Dynamics in Live Cells

RNA imaging is of great importance for understanding its complex spatiotemporal dynamics and cellular functions. Considerable effort has been devoted to the development of small-molecule fluorescent probes for RNA imaging. However, most of the reported studies have mainly focused on improving the photostability, permeability, long emission wavelength, and compatibility with live-cell imaging of RNA probes. Less attention has been paid to the selectivity and detection limit of this class of probes. Highly selective and sensitive RNA probes are still rarely available. In this study, a new set of styryl probes were designed and synthesized, with the aim of upgrading the detection limit and maintaining the selectivity of a lead probe QUID−1 for RNA. Among these newly synthesized compounds, QUID−2 was the most promising candidate. The limit of detection (LOD) value of QUID−2 for the RNA was up to 1.8 ng/mL in solution. This property was significantly improved in comparison with that of QUID−1. Further spectroscopy and cell imaging studies demonstrated the advantages of QUID−2 over a commercially available RNA staining probe, SYTO RNASelect, for highly selective and sensitive RNA imaging. In addition, QUID−2 exhibited excellent photostability and low cytotoxicity. Using QUID−2, the global dynamics of RNA were revealed in live cells. More importantly, QUID−2 was found to be potentially applicable for detecting RNA granules in live cells. Collectively, our work provides an ideal probe for RNA imaging. We anticipate that this powerful tool may create new opportunities to investigate the underlying roles of RNA and RNA granules in live cells.     

手术导航用荧光探针

荧光成像技术因具有操作简便、分辨率高、安全性好且可实时成像等优势,在术中导航中具有广阔的应用前景.虽然目前还没有靶向荧光探针在临床上得到批准,但已经有相当一部分荧光探针进入了临床试验阶段.最早进入临床试验的是一些偶联肿瘤靶向配体的荧光染料,例如近红外菁染料(IRDye800CW)标记的肿瘤特异抗体,叶酸标记的异硫氰酸荧...     

A Fluorescent Activatable AND‐Gate Chemokine CCL2 Enables In Vivo Detection of Metastasis‐Associated Macrophages

We report the novel chemical design of fluorescent activatable chemokines as highly specific functional probes for imaging subpopulations of immune cells in live tumours. Activatable chemokines behave as AND‐gates since they emit only after receptor binding and intracellular activation, showing enhanced selectivity over existing agents. We have applied this strategy to produce mCCL2‐MAF as the first probe for in vivo detection of metastasis‐associated macrophages in a preclinical model of lung metastasis. This strategy will accelerate the preparation of new chemokine‐based probes for imaging immune cell function in tumours.     

Emerging applications of near-infrared fluorescent metal nanoclusters for biological imaging

Recent advances in the development of near-infrared fluorescent metal nanoclusters for bioimaging applications have been thoroughly overviewed.     

Versatile Fluorescent Probes for Imaging the Superoxide Anion in Living Cells and In Vivo

The superoxide anion (O₂^.?) is widely engaged in the regulation of cell functions and is thereby intimately associated with the onset and progression of many diseases. To ascertain the pathological roles of O₂^.? in related diseases, developing effective methods for monitoring O₂^.? in biological systems is essential. Fluorescence imaging is a powerful tool for monitoring bioactive molecules in cells and in vivo owing to its high sensitivity and high temporal‐spatial resolution. Therefore, increasing numbers of fluorescent imaging probes have been constructed to monitor O₂^.? inside live cells and small animals. In this minireview, we summarize the methods for design and application of O₂^.?‐responsive fluorescent probes. Moreover, we present the challenges for detecting O₂^.? and suggestions for constructing new fluorescent probes that can indicate the production sites and concentration changes in O₂^.? as well as O₂^.?‐associated active molecules in living cells and in vivo.     

单分子定位超分辨显微成像有机荧光探针的研究进展

在生物医学领域,对纳米尺寸级别的微小生物目标进行精确定位研究具有非常重要的意义,而光学显微成像技术为此提供了强有力的工具。 光学显微成像技术受到光学衍射极限的限制,难以分辨尺寸在衍射极限(<200 nm)以下的生物结构,无法直接获取微小生物结构信息,阻碍了生物医学的进一步发展。 近年来,随着纳米分辨显微成像技术的出现,新型荧光探针的开发、成像系统与设备的不断发展及成像算法不断完善地深入结合,促进了光学衍射极限以下尺寸微观目标的研究。 基于单分子定位的超分辨荧光显微成像(SMLM)包括光激活定位成像(PALM)与随机光学重构超分辨成像(STORM),将有机荧光探针与超分辨光学显微成像技术紧密结合在一起,荧光探针的光物理性质直接决定着超分辨成像结果的好坏。 因此,设计不同性能的荧光探针可以实现超精细结构的不同超分辨成像,为研究其生物学功能提供了有力的工具。 本文着重围绕基于SMLM的原理、有机荧光探针的设计要求、用于SMLM的荧光探针种类及其生物应用等方面进行总结综述,指出了单分子定位成像上存在的不足,并对其发展方向进行了展望,希望为对超分辨成像研究感兴趣或初涉该领域的研究者提供成像理论与探针设计方面的帮助。     

Dual‐Reactable Fluorescent Probes for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Biological H2S

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an important endogenous signaling molecule with a variety of biological functions. Development of fluorescent probes for highly selective and sensitive detection of H₂S is necessary. We show here that dual‐reactable fluorescent H₂S probes could react with higher selectivity than single‐reactable probes. One of the dual‐reactable probes gives more than 4000‐fold turn‐on response when reacting with H₂S, the largest response among fluorescent H₂S probes reported thus far. In addition, the probe could be used for high‐throughput enzymatic assays and for the detection of Cys‐induced H₂S in cells and in zebrafish. These dual‐reactable probes hold potential for highly selective and sensitive detection of H₂S in biological systems.     

Activity‐Based Genetically Encoded Fluorescent and Luminescent Probes for Detecting Formaldehyde in Living Cells

Formaldehyde (FA) is endogenously produced in living systems through a variety of biological processes and has been implicated in many pathological conditions. Detection tools for biological FA are therefore of great interest. Reported here are novel activity‐based genetically encoded fluorescent and luminescent probes for detecting FA in aqueous solutions and living mammalian cells. A FA‐reactive lysine analogue, PrAK, was site‐specifically incorporated into the essential lysine sites of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase (fLuc) to afford fluorescent and luminescent FA probes, respectively. FA selectively reacts with PrAK residues on EGFP and fLuc through a 2‐aza‐Cope rearrangement, resulting in fluorescence and luminescence turn‐on responses, respectively, to FA selectively over potentially interfering reactive species in aqueous buffer. Moreover, the genetically encoded probes are capable of visualizing FA at physiologically relevant levels in living mammalian cells by fluorescence and luminescence imaging, demonstrating their potential as new tools to explore FA biology.     

Stimuli-Responsible SNARF Derivatives as a Latent Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

Fluorescence imaging is a powerful technique for continuous observation of dynamic intracellular processes of living cells. Fluorescent probes bearing a fluorescence switching property associated with a specific recognition or reaction of target biomolecule, that is, stimuli-responsibility, are important for fluorescence imaging. Thus, fluorescent probes continue to be developed to support approaches with different design strategies. When compared with simple intensity-changing fluorescent probes, ratiometric fluorescent probes typically offer the advantage of less sensitivity to errors associated with probe concentration, photobleaching, and environmental effects. For intracellular usage, ratiometric fluorescent probes based on small molecules must be loaded into the cells. Thus, probes having intrinsic fluorescence may obscure a change in intracellular signal if the background fluorescence of the remaining extracellular probes is high. To overcome such disadvantages, it is necessary to minimize the extracellular background fluorescence of fluorescent probes. Here, the design strategy of the latent ratiometric fluorescent probe for wash-free ratiometric imaging using a xanthene dye seminapthorhodafluor (SNARF) as the scaffold of fluorophore is discussed.