Reporter protein-targeted probes for magnetic resonance imaging

Contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging are frequently employed as experimental and clinical probes. Drawbacks include low signal sensitivity, fast clearance, and nonspecificity that limit efficacy in experimental imaging. In order to create a bioresponsive MR contrast agent, a series of four Gd(III) complexes targeted to the HaloTag reporter were designed and synthesized. HaloTag is unique among reporter proteins for its specificity, versatility, and the covalent interaction between substrate and protein. In similar systems, these properties produce prolonged in vivo lifetimes and extended imaging opportunities for contrast agents, longer rotational correlation times, and increases in relaxivity (r(1)) upon binding to the HaloTag protein. In this work we report a new MR contrast probe, 2CHTGd, which forms a covalent bond with its target protein and results in a dramatic increase in sensitivity. A 6-fold increase in r(1), from 3.8 to 22 mM(-1) s(-1), is observed upon 2CHTGd binding to the target protein. This probe was designed for use with the HaloTag protein system which allows for a variety of substrates (specific for MRI, florescence, or protein purification applications) to be used with the same reporter.     

Polyacrylic acid coating of highly luminescent CdS nanocrystals for biological labeling applications

Surface coating of highly luminescent CdS nanocrystals by polyacrylic acid was demonstrated. The method proceeded in 2 steps, (i) modification of the CdS surface by alkyl molecules and (ii) polyacrylic acid coating of the surface modified CdS. Attachment of alkyl ammonium on the CdS surface induced a phase transfer reaction from an aqueous to a non-polar phase with a yield of approximately 100%. Investigating alkyl molecules with various functional groups revealed that the alkyl molecules, possessing the cation moiety, such as amine or ammonium salt, can electrostatically interact with the CdS surface. The PL of the uncoated nanocrystals was almost entirely quenched in the pH range of approximately 7, while the polyacrylic acid coated nanocrystals exhibited moderate PL intensity. This PL intensity was preserved for at least several days, facilitating biological labeling application under a neutral condition.     

A modular system for the synthesis of multiplexed magnetic resonance probes

We have developed a modular architecture for preparing high-relaxivity multiplexed probes utilizing click chemistry. Our system incorporates azide bearing Gd(III) chelates and a trialkyne scaffold with a functional group for subsequent modification. In optimizing the relaxivity of this new complex, we undertook a study of the linker length between a chelate and the scaffold to determine its effect on relaxivity. The results show a strong dependence on flexibility between the individual chelates and the scaffold with decreasing linker length leading to significant increases in relaxivity. Nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion (NMRD) spectra were obtained to confirm a 10-fold increase in the rotational correlation time from 0.049 to 0.60 ns at 310 K. We have additionally obtained a crystal structure demonstrating that modification with an azide does not impact the coordination of the lanthanide. The resulting multinuclear center has a 500% increase in per Gd (or ionic) relaxivity at 1.41 T versus small molecule contrast agents and a 170% increase in relaxivity at 9.4 T.     

Chemical design of nanoparticle probes for high-performance magnetic resonance imaging

Synthetic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are emerging as versatile probes in biomedical applications, especially in the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their size, which is comparable to biological functional units, and their unique magnetic properties allow their utilization as molecular imaging probes. Herein, we present an overview of recent breakthroughs in the development of new synthetic MNP probes with which the sensitive and target-specific observation of biological events at the molecular and cellular levels is possible.     

Responsive fluorinated lanthanide probes for 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The introduction of CF(3) reporter groups close to the paramagnetic centre in macrocyclic lanthanide(iii) complexes allows faster acquisition of (19)F magnetic resonance data, and amplifies chemical shift non-equivalence, as exemplified by the definition of ratiometric chemical shift probes for pH and, in principle, enzyme activity.     

In vivo magnetic resonance detection of cancer by using multifunctional magnetic nanocrystals

The unique properties of magnetic nanocrystals provide them with high potential as key probes and vectors in the next generation of biomedical applications. Although superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals have been extensively studied as excellent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes for various cell trafficking, gene expression, and cancer diagnosis, further development of in vivo MRI applications has been very limited. Here, we describe in vivo diagnosis of cancer, utilizing a well-defined magnetic nanocrystal probe system with multiple capabilities, such as small size, strong magnetism, high biocompatibility, and the possession of active functionality for desired receptors. Our magnetic nanocrystals are conjugated to a cancer-targeting antibody, Herceptin, and subsequent utilization of these conjugates as MRI probes has been successfully demonstrated for the monitoring of in vivo selective targeting events of human cancer cells implanted in live mice. Further conjugation of these nanocrystal probes with fluorescent dye-labeled antibodies enables both in vitro and ex vivo optical detection of cancer as well as in vivo MRI, which are potentially applicable for an advanced multimodal detection system. Our study finds that high performance in vivo MR diagnosis of cancer is achievable by utilizing improved and multifunctional material properties of iron oxide nanocrystal probes.     

分级骨架和多层的Pt-Ni纳米晶体用于高效氧还原和甲醇氧化反应

燃料电池是电动汽车和电子设备最有前途的清洁能源之一.Pt催化剂在氧还原反应(ORR)和甲醇氧化反应(MOR)中的电催化性能对电池系统的能源效率和电池的价格起着至关重要的作用,因此设计高效的电催化剂以最大限度地提高铂的利用率,从而增强电催化效果、降低成本,已经成为燃料电池发展的一个重要方向.早期的研究表明,铂基催化剂可以有效地提高电催化性能,并且它们的组成和形貌被认为是影响催化剂活性的两个关键因素.至今,已合成出各种各样的Pt基催化剂,如Pt-Pb/Pt核壳纳米盘、Pt3Co凹面立方体、Pt-Cu-Rh纳米笼、Pt-Pd纳米枝晶等,其中纳米枝晶结构的催化剂表现出很好的氧还原性能,其高效的催化活性被认为是暴露出的较高的比表面积促进了电子转移以及拥有较多的Pt活性位点.本文采用简单的溶剂热法合成了具有大比表面积的Pt-Ni分层骨架结构(Pt-Ni HSNs)催化剂,为了验证反应物所起的作用,通过收集不同反应时间下的产物和控制单一变量,我们发现在合成配方中加入H2SO4是此类Pt-Ni纳米晶体成功生长的关键触发因素.在H2SO4的诱导下,Pt和Ni原子倾向于沉积在(111)面,促使Pt-Ni合金沿晶面方向生长为八面体结构,在此过程中发生了粒子自组装成长以及相分离过程,最后我们用酸蚀法制造了Pt-Ni HSNs,并通过TEM,XRD和XPS表征其微观结构及组成,证实了Pt-Ni HSNs已经形成合金结构.在酸性条件下,Pt-Ni HSNs在ORR反应中展示出比商业Pt/C更好的活性.在0.9 V时的质量活性为1.25 A mgpt–1,是商业Pt/C质量活性的8.9倍,并且在10000圈的耐久性测试中,Pt-Ni HSNs的质量活性仅仅损失了21.6％,远低于Pt/C损失的活性比例.Tafel曲线和旋转环盘测试结果表明,Pt-Ni HSNs在ORR反应中发生的是4电子过程,证实了它的高活性.另外,在酸性溶液中,Pt-Ni HSNs表现出了比商业Pt/C更好的MOR催化活性,且抗CO中毒能力更强.这可归因于两点:(1)Pt-Ni HSNs是由多个小颗粒组装而成,大大提高了与电解液的接触面积;(2)它独特的骨架结构减少了颗粒间团聚的可能性,有利于质子的转移.本文为设计先进的铂基电催化剂提供了一种新的自组装方法.     

分级骨架和多层的Pt-Ni纳米晶体用于高效氧还原和甲醇氧化反应

燃料电池是电动汽车和电子设备最有前途的清洁能源之一.Pt催化剂在氧还原反应(ORR)和甲醇氧化反应(MOR)中的电催化性能对电池系统的能源效率和电池的价格起着至关重要的作用,因此设计高效的电催化剂以最大限度地提高铂的利用率,从而增强电催化效果、降低成本,已经成为燃料电池发展的一个重要方向.早期的研究表明,铂基催化剂可以有效地提高电催化性能,并且它们的组成和形貌被认为是影响催化剂活性的两个关键因素.至今,已合成出各种各样的Pt基催化剂,如Pt-Pb/Pt核壳纳米盘、Pt3Co凹面立方体、Pt-Cu-Rh纳米笼、Pt-Pd纳米枝晶等,其中纳米枝晶结构的催化剂表现出很好的氧还原性能,其高效的催化活性被认为是暴露出的较高的比表面积促进了电子转移以及拥有较多的Pt活性位点.本文采用简单的溶剂热法合成了具有大比表面积的Pt-Ni分层骨架结构(Pt-Ni HSNs)催化剂,为了验证反应物所起的作用,通过收集不同反应时间下的产物和控制单一变量,我们发现在合成配方中加入H2SO4是此类Pt-Ni纳米晶体成功生长的关键触发因素.在H2SO4的诱导下,Pt和Ni原子倾向于沉积在(111)面,促使Pt-Ni合金沿晶面方向生长为八面体结构,在此过程中发生了粒子自组装成长以及相分离过程,最后我们用酸蚀法制造了Pt-Ni HSNs,并通过TEM,XRD和XPS表征其微观结构及组成,证实了Pt-Ni HSNs已经形成合金结构.在酸性条件下,Pt-Ni HSNs在ORR反应中展示出比商业Pt/C更好的活性.在0.9 V时的质量活性为1.25 A mgpt–1,是商业Pt/C质量活性的8.9倍,并且在10000圈的耐久性测试中,Pt-Ni HSNs的质量活性仅仅损失了21.6％,远低于Pt/C损失的活性比例.Tafel曲线和旋转环盘测试结果表明,Pt-Ni HSNs在ORR反应中发生的是4电子过程,证实了它的高活性.另外,在酸性溶液中,Pt-Ni HSNs表现出了比商业Pt/C更好的MOR催化活性,且抗CO中毒能力更强.这可归因于两点:(1)Pt-Ni HSNs是由多个小颗粒组装而成,大大提高了与电解液的接触面积;(2)它独特的骨架结构减少了颗粒间团聚的可能性,有利于质子的转移.本文为设计先进的铂基电催化剂提供了一种新的自组装方法.     

Nanoscale size effect of magnetic nanocrystals and their utilization for cancer diagnosis via magnetic resonance imaging

Since the use of magnetic nanocrystals as probes for biomedical system is attractive, it is important to develop optimal synthetic protocols for high-quality magnetic nanocrystals and to have the systematic understanding of their nanoscale properties. Here we present the development of a synthetically controlled magnetic nanocrystal model system that correlates the nanoscale tunabilities in terms of size, magnetism, and induced nuclear spin relaxation processes. This system further led to the development of high-performance nanocrystal-antibody probe systems for the diagnosis of breast cancer cells via magnetic resonance imaging.     

Fabrication of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with highly photoluminescent lanthanide probes

Bi-functional nanoparticles (NPs) that consist of silica-coated magnetic cores and luminescent lanthanide (Ln) ions anchored on the silica surface via organic linker molecules are reported. Compared to individual Ln ions, the hybrid NPs show a drastically enhanced photoluminescence due to the efficient ligand-to-metal energy transfer in the Ln-loaded NPs: the new bi-functional NPs could be used in a variety of biological applications involving magnetic separation and optical detection.     

Reactivity of functional groups on the protein surface: development of epoxide probes for protein labeling

We present the development of new affinity probes for protein labeling based on an epoxide reactive group. Systematic screening revealed that an epoxide functionality possesses the special combination of stability and reactivity which renders it stable toward proteins in solution but reactive on the protein surface outside the active site (proximity-induced reactivity). Highly efficient and selective labeling of purified HCA II (human carbonic anhydrase II) was achieved. For instance, 2 equiv of epoxide probe 9 was sufficient for nearly quantitative labeling of HCA II (>90% yield, 20 h reaction time). MS analysis of the labeled protein revealed that 1 equiv of the probe was attached and that labeling occurred at a single residue (His 64) outside the active site. Importantly, epoxide probe 9 selectively labeled HCA II both in simple protein mixtures and in cellular extracts. In addition to the chemical insight and its relevance to many epoxide-containing natural products, this study generated a promising lead in the development of new affinity probes for protein labeling.     

Development of responsive lanthanide-based magnetic resonance imaging and luminescent probes for biological applications

Lanthanide complexes have unique chemical characteristics compared with typical organic complexes, and have recently attracted much interest because of the expanding need for new bioanalytical sensors. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) permits noninvasive three-dimensional imaging inside opaque organisms, and gadolinium ion (Gd(3+)) complexes have become important tools as MRI contrast agents. However, most of them are nonspecific, and report solely on anatomy. Therefore, responsive MRI contrast agents, so-called "smart" MRI contrast agents whose ability to relax water protons is greatly enhanced by recognition of a particular biomolecule, have great potential for elucidating biological phenomena. On the other hand, lanthanide complexes such as europium (Eu(3+)) and terbium (Tb(3+)) complexes have excellent luminescence properties for biological applications, i.e., long luminescence lifetime of the order of milliseconds and a large Stoke's shift of >200 nm. Their long-lived luminescence is especially suitable for time-resolved measurements, because the interference from short-lived background fluorescence and scattered light rapidly decays to a negligible level after a pulse of excitation light is applied, and the emitted light can be collected after an appropriate delay time. These luminescent lanthanide complexes have already found commercial use as highly sensitive luminescent probes in heterogeneous and homogeneous assays. This paper reviews our research on the design and synthesis of responsive lanthanide-based MRI and luminescent probes for advanced bioimaging.     

Surface engineering of nanoparticles for highly efficient UV‐shielding composites

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) with high energy can not only hurt human skin but also accelerate the degradation of organic matter. Hence, the preparation of polymer‐based UV‐shielding nanocomposites has attracted substantial attention due to the low cost, easy processing and wide applications. Notably, the highly efficient UV‐shielding polymer nanocomposites are still hindered by the agglomeration of inorganic anti‐UV nanoparticles (Nps) in polymer matrix and the narrow absorption range of UV‐shielding agents. To overcome the aforementioned bottlenecks, surface engineering of anti‐UV Nps including organic modification and inorganic hybridization has been extensively employed to enhance the UV‐shielding efficiency of composites. Herein, to deliver the readers a comprehensive understanding of the surface engineering of anti‐UV Nps, we systematically summarize the recent advances in surface organic modification and inorganic hybridization related to anti‐UV Nps. The UV‐shielding mechanism and the factors affecting UV‐shielding efficiency of polymer nanocomposites are also discussed. Finally, perspectives on remaining challenges and future development of highly efficient UV‐shielding composites are outlined.     

Surface passivation using pyridinium iodide for highly efficient planar perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells have developed rapidly in the past decades.However,there are large amounts of ionic defects at the surface and grain boundaries of perovskte films which are detrimental to both the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.Here,an organic halide salt pyridinium iodide(PyI) is used in cation-anion-mixed perovskite for surface defect passivation.Different from the treatment with Lewis base pyridine(Py) which can only bind to the under-coordinated Pb ions,zwitterion molecule PyI can not only fill negative charged iodine vacancies,but also interact with positive charged defects.Compared with Py treatment,PyI treatment results in smoother surface,less defect densities and nonradiative recombination in perovskite,leading to an improved VOC, negligible J-V hysteresis and stable performance of devices.As a result,the champion PyI-treated planar perovskite solar cell with a high VOC of 1.187 V achieves an efficiency of 21.42%,which is higher than 20.37% of Py-treated device,while the pristine device without any treatment gets an efficiency of 18.83% at the same experiment conditions.     

One-pot synthesis of highly monodispersed ferrite nanocrystals: surface characterization and magnetic properties

In the present study, a facile one-pot synthetic route, utilizing a strong polar organic solvent, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP), is demonstrated to obtain highly monodispersed ferrite nanocrystals. The equimolar mixture of oleic acid, C(17)H(33)COOH (R-COOH), and oleylamine, C(18)H(35)NH(2) (R'-NH(2)), was used to coat the magnetic nanocrystals. Structural and magnetic properties of the ferrite nanocrystals were studied by a multitechnique approach including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. FTIR spectral analysis indicates oleylamine helps in deprotonation of oleic acid, resulting in the formation of an acid-base complex, R-COOˉ:NH(3)(+)-R', which acts as binary capping agent. Structural and coordination differences of iron were studied by XPS and M?ssbauer spectral analysis. XPS analysis was carried out to examine the oxidation state of iron ions in iron oxide nanocrystals. The presence of a magnetically dead layer (～0.38 and ～0.67 nm) and a nonmagnetic organic coating (～2.3 and ～1.7 nm) may substantially reduce the saturation magnetization values for CoFe(2)O(4) and Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals, respectively. The energy barrier distribution function of magnetic anisotropy was derived from the temperature dependent decay of magnetization. A very narrow energy barrier distribution elucidates that the ferrite nanocrystals obtained in this study are highly monodispersed.     

Solid-phase synthesis of photoaffinity probes: highly efficient incorporation of biotin-tag and cross-linking groups

A benzophenone cross-linking group and a biotin-tag hybrid, resin 1a, attached to our novel resin 2 was readily converted to the photoaffnity probe 20 by condensation with the ligand carboxylic acid 19 and cleavage from the resin without purification.     

Cell-permeable small molecule probes for site-specific labeling of proteins

We have successfully synthesized a number of small molecule probes designed for site-specific labeling of N-terminal cysteine-containing proteins expressed in live cells. Their utility for site-specific, covalent modifications of proteins was successfully demonstrated with purified proteins in vitro, and with live bacterial cells in vivo.     

Synthesis of boron dipyrromethene fluorescent probes for bioorthogonal labeling

Seven 5-substituted 3-hydrazinyl derivatives of 3a, 4a-diaza-4,4-difluoro-8-phenyl boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) were prepared for use as bioorthogonal fluorescent labels of aldehydes and ketones. The absorption energies can be tuned to absorb visible light over a large span of wavelengths by changing the nature of the 5-substituent. Optical properties of hydrazones formed with the 5-chloro derivative are affected by the nature of the electrophile such that aliphatic and aromatic hydrazones can be differentiated from each other and from unreacted fluorophore.     

Di-functional magnetic nanoflowers: A highly efficient support for immobilizing penicillin G acylase

The novel di-functional magnetic nanoflowers (DMNF) which had both epoxy groups and hydrophilic catechol as well as phthaloquinone groups capable of covalently coupling of penicillin G acylase (PGA) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer, N₂ adsorption, and so on. The studies showed that DMNF possessed “hierarchical petal” structure of nanosheets had specific saturation magnetization of 39.7 emu/g and average pore diameter of 25.4 nm as well as specific surface area of 17.28 m²/g. For hydrolysis of penicillin G potassium catalyzed by the PGA immobilized on DMNF with enzyme loading of 106 mg/g-support, its apparent activity reached 2,667 U/g, which benefited from the “hierarchical petal” and large pore structure of the magnetic DMNF leading to high enzyme loading and fast diffusion of substrate molecules to the immobilized PGA to reaction. The apparent activity of the immobilized PGA could keep 2,408 U/g (above 90% of its initial activity) after repeating use for 10 cycles. The magnetic immobilized PGA exhibited excellent operational stability due to covalently coupling of the enzyme molecules between the support by covalent interaction of the amino groups of PGA and the reactive groups of epoxy, catechol, and phthaloquinone groups on DMNF. Furthermore, the PGA displayed good acid and alkaline resistance as well as thermal stability by immobilization using DMNF.