Novel in situ biosynthesized fluorescent zinc nanoclusters for specific cellular bio-imaging

It is well known that zinc ions play an indispensable role in the structure and function of a large number of biological process and relevant bio-macromolecules. When some cancers occurred, the relevant concentration of zinc ions considerably decreased. Since cancer cells have a completely different redox homeostasis from normal cells, in this contribution, we have explored the possibility of bio-imaging or labeling of cancer cells through the in situ biosynthesized zinc nanoclusters by cancerous cells. The results demonstrate that we can readily realize the in vivo fluorescent bio-imaging of cancer cells through the in situ biosynthesis of the biocompatible zinc nanoclusters from cancerous cells (i.e., Hela cervical carcinoma cell line and others) when target cells cultured with micromolar zinc gluconate solutions.     

Ag+-Coupled Black Phosphorus Vesicles with Emerging NIR-II Photoacoustic Imaging Performance for Cancer Immune-Dynamic Therapy and Fast Wound Healing

A silver-ion-coupled black phosphorus (BP) vesicle (BP Ve-Ag⁺) with a second near infrared (NIR-II) window photoacoustic (PA) imaging capability was firstly constructed to maximize the potential of BP quantum dot (QD) in deeper bioimaging and diversified therapy. The embedded Ag⁺ could improve the relatively large band gap of BP QD via intense charge coupling based on theoretical simulation results, subsequently leading to the enhanced optical absorption capability, accompanied with the occurrence of the strong NIR-II PA signal. Guiding by NIR-II PA bioimaging, the hidden Ag⁺ could be precisely released with the disassembly of Ve during photodynamic therapy process and captured by macrophages located in lesion region for arousing synergistic cancer photodynamic/Ag⁺ immunotherapy. BP Ve-Ag⁺ can contrapuntally kill pathogenic bacteria and accelerate wound healing monitored by NIR-II PA imaging.     

Photostable NIR-II Pigments from Extended Rylenecarboximides

A series of near-infrared (NIR) organic absorbers, named FNs and FPs , have been obtained with absorption maxima from 870 nm to 1100 nm and thus falling into the attractive second near-infrared region (NIR-II). The synthesis of their extended aromatic cores utilized an initial aryl-amination between 4-aminonaphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide ( NMI-NH₂ ) or 9-aminoperylene-3,4-dicarboximide ( PMI-NH₂ ) with chloro-substituted 9,10-anthraquinones followed by a novel base-induced cyclodehydrogenation. A NIR-II pigment, compound FPP , was obtained through de-alkylation of a soluble precursor. The synthesis of this photostable pigment is high-yielding and avoids column chromatographic purification which is important for many applications.     

Theranostic Gold Nanoclusters for NIR-II Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window(NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) has demonstrated tremendous promise for biomedical applications, with its extraordinarily high resolution and deep tissue penetration. Ultrasmall gold nanoclusters(AuNCs) have shown unique features for NIR-II imaging, such as photostability and biocompatibility, as compared to organic NIR-II molecules or other inorganic NIR-II nanoparticles. Here, we report the first-in-class protein-capped ultrasmall AuNCs(BSA-AuNCs, BSA=bovine serum albumin) for simultaneous NIR-II imaging and photodynamic therapy. The BSA-AuNCs show a uniform size, high quantum yield and excellent photostability, display a high accumulation and long retention in 4T1 tumor, and are used for clear imaging of blood vessels and lymph nodes. Moreover, laser irradiation of these AuNCs can rapidly trigger ROS generation, leading to effective inhibition of tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a protein-capped ultrasmall AuNCs platform for theranostic applications by combining NIR-II imaging and photodynamic cancer therapy.     

Upconverting nanophosphors as reporters in a highly sensitive heterogeneous immunoassay for cardiac troponin I

Photon upconverting nanophosphors (UCNPs) have a unique capability to produce anti-Stokes emission at visible wavelengths via sequential multiphoton absorption upon infrared excitation. Since the anti-Stokes emission can be easily spectrally resolved from the Stokes' shifted autofluorescence, the upconversion luminescence (UCL) is a highly attractive reporter technology for optical biosensors and biomolecular binding assays – potentially enabling unprecedented sensitivity in separation-based solid-phase immunoassays.     

Cross-Link-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Rapid Excretion in Nanotheranostic Applications

Most NIR-IIb fluorophores are nanoparticle-based probes with long retention (≈1 month or longer) in the body. Here, we applied a novel cross-linked coating to functionalize core/shell lead sulfide/cadmium sulfide quantum dots (PbS/CdS QDs) emitting at ≈1600 nm. The coating was comprised of an amphiphilic polymer followed by three crosslinked amphiphilic polymeric layers (P³ coating), imparting high biocompatibility and >90 % excretion of QDs within 2 weeks of intravenous administration. The P³-QDs were conjugated to an engineered anti-CD8 diabody (Cys-diabody) for in vivo molecular imaging of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in response to anti-PD-L1 therapy. Two-plex molecular imaging in combination with down-conversion Er nanoparticles (ErNPs) was performed for real-time in vivo monitoring of PD-L1 positive tumor cells and CTLs with cellular resolution by non-invasive NIR-IIb light sheet microscopy. Imaging of angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment and of lymph nodes deep in the body with a signal-to-background ratio of up to ≈170 was also achieved using P³-QDs.     

纳米Eu0.10Y1.90-xNdxO3-δ的光致发光特性及浓度猝灭研究

使用超声波作用下的均匀沉淀法,制备了Eu0.10Y1.90-xNdxO3-δ纳米晶荧光粉,用X射线粉末衍射、荧光光谱等对其进行表征.研究了掺杂Nd3 离子对Y2O3∶Eu3 晶格常数、晶粒尺寸及室温光致发光特性的影响.由不同掺杂浓度x=0~0.18下样品的发射光谱强度变化曲线得到猝灭浓度值,探讨了掺杂Nd3 的样品荧光浓度猝灭的机理.发光强度与浓度的关系表明,掺杂离子之间存在的Eu3 -Nd3 或Nd3 -Nd3 间交换相互作用,是导致掺杂样品浓度猝灭的主要原因.     

Stable,Wavelength‐Tunable Fluorescent Dyes in the NIR‐II Region for In Vivo High‐Contrast Bioimaging and Multiplexed Biosensing

Small‐molecule organic fluorophores, spectrally active in the 900–1700 nm region, with tunable wavelength and sensing properties are sought‐after for in vivo optical imaging and biosensing. A panel of fluorescent dyes ( CX ) has been developed to meet this challenge. CX dyes exhibit the wavelength tunability of cyanine dyes and have a rigidified polymethine chain to guarantee their stability. They are chemo‐ and photo‐stable in an aqueous environment and have tunable optical properties with maximal absorbing/emitting wavelength at 1089/1140 nm. They show great potential in high‐contrast in vivo bioimaging and multicolor detection with negligible optical cross talk. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CX dyes was demonstrated in deep tissue, providing an approach for monitoring drug‐induced hepatotoxicity by detection of OONO^?. This report presents a series of NIR‐II dyes with promising spectroscopic properties for high‐contrast bioimaging and multiplexed biosensing.     

快速合成Bi@ZIF-8复合纳米材料用于近红外二区光热治疗以及可控药物释放

随着纳米技术的发展及其向医学领域的渗透,纳米技术为肿瘤的治疗开辟了新的途径,构建有效的纳米载体体系对于肿瘤的治疗具有十分重要的意义.本工作报道了一种铋纳米粒子嵌入ZIF-8的纳米材料Bi@ZIF-8@TPZ(BZT),联合近红外二区(NIR-Ⅱ)的光热治疗与化疗,达到了良好的治疗效果.BZT纳米材料高效地装载了抗癌药物替拉扎明(TPZ),同时嵌入的铋纳米点使得该纳米材料具有NIR-Ⅱ光热的能力.因ZIF-8具有良好的pH响应能力,所以在酸性和光照条件下能实现药物的可控释放,实现了化疗与NIR-Ⅱ光热治疗的协同治疗,使得BZT纳米材料在临床上具有很高的应用价值.     

Tumor Microenvironment‐Activated NIR‐II Nanotheranostic System for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Peritoneal Metastasis

Activatable theranostic systems show potential for improved tumor diagnosis and therapy owing to high detection specificities, effective ablation, and minimal side‐effects. Herein, a tumor microenvironment (TME)‐activated NIR‐II nanotheranostic system (FEAD1) for precise diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal metastases is presented. FEAD1 was fabricated by self‐assembling the peptide Fmoc‐His, mercaptopropionic‐functionalized Ag₂S quantum dots (MPA‐Ag₂S QDs), the chemodrug doxorubicin (DOX), and NIR absorber A1094 into nanoparticles. We show that in healthy tissue, FEAD1 exists in an NIR‐II fluorescence “off” state, because of Ag₂S QDs‐A1094 interactions, while DOX remains in stealth mode. Upon delivery of FEAD1 to the tumor, the acidic TME triggers its disassembly through breakage of the Fmoc‐His metal coordination and DOX hydrophobic interactions. Release of A1094 switches on Ag₂S fluorescence, illuminating the tumor, accompanied by burst release of DOX within the tumor tissue, thereby achieving precise tumor theranostics. This TME‐activated theranostic strategy holds great promise for future clinical applications.     

An Activatable NIR‐II Nanoprobe for In Vivo Early Real‐Time Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dangerous acute diseases resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Current methods remain limited with respect to early diagnosis and real‐time feedback on the pathological process. Herein, a targeted activatable fluorescent nanoprobe (V&A@Ag₂S) in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) is presented for in vivo optical imaging of TBI. Initially, the fluorescence of V&A@Ag₂S is turned off owing to energy transfer from Ag₂S to the A1094 chromophore. Upon intravenous injection, V&A@Ag₂S quickly accumulates in the inflamed vascular endothelium of TBI based on VCAM1‐mediated endocytosis, after which the nanoprobe achieves rapid recovery of the NIR‐II fluorescence of Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) owing to the bleaching of A1094 by the prodromal biomarker of TBI, peroxynitrite (ONOO^?). The nanoprobe offers high specificity, rapid response, and high sensitivity toward ONOO^?, providing a convenient approach for in vivo early real‐time assessment of TBI.     

A H_2S-triggered two-photon ratiometric fluorescent theranostic prodrug for bio-imaging

Hydrogen sulfide(H_2 S) is a signaling molecule that plays important roles in biological systems.The exploration of H_2 S as a new drug release trigger and its related fluorescent theranostic system is crucial for cancer bio-imaging and therapy.Herein,we designed a new two-photon ratiometric fluorescent theranostic prodrug(compound 1) and studied its spectroscopic properties and application in in vivo imaging.Compound 1 specifically reacted with H_2 S and released the free active therapeutic component of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin,which was accompanied with a red-shift fluorescence emission signal from 460 nm to 545 nm.The exogenous and endogenous H_2 S in living cells were imaged by compound 1 under one-photon and two-photon excitation.Furthermore,compound 1 monitored the H_2 S concentration changes in Caenorhabditis elegans by fluorescence imaging.Additionally,it showed effective drug release activation in situ tumor with exogenous and endogenous H_2 S as the trigger.The H_2 S-sensitive activation and drug-release properties highlight the potential of theranostic compound 1 in future cancer treatment and therapy.     

Rare-earth Doped Nanoparticles with Narrow NIR-II Emission for Optical Imaging with Reduced Autofluorescence

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared region(900-1700 nm, NIR-II) with a high resolution and penetration depth due to the significantly reduced tissue scattering and autofluorescence has emerged as a useful tool in biomedical fields. Recently, many efforts have been devoted to the development of fluorophores with an emission band covering the long-wavelength end of NIR-II region(1500-1700 nm) to eliminate the autofluorescence. Alternatively, we believe imaging with a narrow bandwidth could also reduce the autofluorescence. As a proof of concept, NaYF₄:Yb,Nd@NaYF₄ downconversion nanoparticles(DCNPs) with sharp NIR-II emission were synthesized. The luminescence of DCNPs showed a half-peak width of 49 nm centered at 998 nm, which was perfectly matched with a (1000±25) nm bandpass filter. With this filter, we were able to retain most of the emissions from the nanoparticles, while the autofluorescence was largely reduced. After PEGylation, the DCNPs exhibited great performance for blood vessel and tumor imaging in living mice with significantly reduced autofluorescence and interference signals. This work provided an alternative way for the low-autofluorescence imaging and emphasized the importance of narrow emitting rare-earth doped nanoparticles for NIR-II imaging.     

Manipulating Host-Guest Charge Transfer of a Water-Soluble Double-Cavity Cyclophane for NIR-II Photothermal Therapy

Water-soluble small organic photothermal agents (PTAs) over NIR-II biowindow (1000–1350 nm) are highly desirable, but the rarity greatly limits their applications. Based on a water-soluble double-cavity cyclophane GBox-4⁴⁺ , we report a class of host–guest charge transfer (CT) complexes as structurally uniform PTAs for NIR-II photothermal therapy. As a result of its high electron-deficiency, GBox-4⁴⁺ can bind different electron-rich planar guests with a 1 : 2 host/guest stoichiometry to readily tune the CT absorption band that extends to the NIR-II region. When using a diaminofluorene guest substituted with an oligoethylene glycol chain, the host–guest system realized both good biocompatibility and enhanced photothermal conversion at 1064 nm, and was then exploited as a high-efficiency NIR-II PTA for cancer cell and bacterial ablation. This work broadens the potential applications of host–guest cyclophane systems and provides a new access to bio-friendly NIR-II photoabsorbers with well-defined structures.     

肿瘤靶向Pt-Cu基纳米平台用于近红外二区光声成像引导的光热治疗

基于层层（LBL）自组装技术,在Pt-Cu纳米合金表面依次包覆带正电的聚赖氨酸（PLL）和带负电的透明质酸（HA）,成功构筑Pt-Cu@PLL@HA纳米平台。HA不仅延长了纳米平台血液循环时间,还可实现肿瘤主动靶向作用,提升肿瘤部位富集效果。在肿瘤区域透明质酸酶（HAase）作用下HA快速降解,释放Pt-Cu@PLL （+）颗粒,有利于肿瘤细胞特异性摄取。基于Pt-Cu合金良好的近红外二区（NIR-Ⅱ）吸收性能,实现了NIR-Ⅱ光声成像引导的NIR-Ⅱ光热高效抗肿瘤效果。     

NIR-II cell endocytosis-activated fluorescent probes for in vivo high-contrast bioimaging diagnostics

Fluorescence probes have great potential to empower bioimaging, precision clinical diagnostics and surgery. However, current probes are limited to in vivo high-contrast diagnostics, due to the substantial background interference from tissue scattering and nonspecific activation in blood and normal tissues. Here, we developed a kind of cell endocytosis-activated fluorescence (CEAF) probe, which consists of a hydrophilic polymer unit and an acid pH-sensitive small-molecule fluorescent moiety that operates in the “tissue-transparent” second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. The CEAF probe stably presents in the form of quenched nanoaggregates in water and blood, and can be selectively activated and retained in lysosomes through cell endocytosis, driven by a synergetic mechanism of disaggregation and protonation. In vivo imaging of tumor and inflammation with a passive-targeting and affinity-tagged CEAF probe, respectively, yields highly specific signals with target-to-background ratios over 15 and prolonged observation time up to 35 hours, enabling positive implications for surgical, diagnostic and fundamental biomedical studies.

A Cell Endocytosis-Activated Fluorescent (CEAF) probe triggered by disaggregation and protonation is designed for high contrast in vivo bioimaging and diagnostics in the second near-infrared window (1000–1700 nm).     

Imaging of Colorectal Cancers Using Activatable Nanoprobes with Second Near‐Infrared Window Emission

Fluorescent probes in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) allow high‐resolution bioimaging with deep‐tissue penetration. However, existing NIR‐II materials often have poor signal‐to‐background ratios because of the lack of target specificity. Herein, an activatable NIR‐II nanoprobe for visualizing colorectal cancers was devised. This designed probe displays H₂S‐activated ratiometric fluorescence and light‐up NIR‐II emission at 900–1300 nm. By using this activatable and target specific probe for deep‐tissue imaging of H₂S‐rich colon cancer cells, accurate identification of colorectal tumors in animal models were performed. It is anticipated that the development of activatable NIR‐II probes will find widespread applications in biological and clinical systems.     

纳米稀土磷酸盐(Gd,Y)PO4:Tb的室温固相合成及发光性能

三基色荧光灯用绿色发光材料,其发光效率对总的光通量影响很大[1],因而探索不同体系的绿色发光材料的合成将意义重大.由于Tb3 离子具有较好的特征绿色发射,所以研究铽的不同体系绿粉一直是人们所感兴趣的课题[2].稀土磷酸盐发光材料具有发光亮度高,合成温度适中,色坐标x值大等优点,因而成为当前材料科学的热门[3-5].     

Highly selective red- and green-emitting two-photon fluorescent probes for cysteine detection and their bio-imaging in living cells

Two highly selective two-photon fluorescent probes for cysteine over homocysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, dithiothreitol, glutathione and other amino acids, and their fluorescent imaging in living cells have been shown.