Near-infrared small molecular fluorescent dyes for photothermal therapy

This review aims to provide a summary of the progress in fluorescent dyes for photothermal therapy in recent years and it is classified according to the structure of organic molecules including cyanines, phthalocyanines, rhodamine analogues and BODIPYs.     

Photodynamic therapy based on organic small molecular fluorescent dyes

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown promise as an effective treatment modality for cancer and other localized diseases due to its noninvasive properties and spatiotemporal selectivity. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes based on organic small molecules are characterized with low cytotoxicity, good biocompatibility and excellent phototoxicity, which are widely used in PDT. In this review, we attempt to summarize the development of imaging-induced PDT based on organic small molecules and classify it according to the structures of dyes including cyanines, 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) analogues, phthalocyanine and other agents such as rhodamine analogues.     

Synthesis and application of Vis/NIR dialkylaminophenylbuta-1, 3-dienyl borondipyrromethene dyes

Mono- and bis-dialkylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienyl boron-dipyrromethenes(BODIPYs) 1–12 were synthesized in 36%–42% yields by a Knoevenagel-type condensation. The absorption and emission maxima(labs= 614–739 nm; lem= 655–776 nm in CHCl3) of 1–12 covered from the visible to the nearinfrared region. Probe 1 was ratiometric Vis p H probes. Such probe was almost non-fluorescent. Upon the protonation of the tertiary amine function of 1, the strong fluorescence(Φf= 0.97) was released and the florescence intensity was dramatically increased by one thousand folds. The sharp isosbestic points were discovered at 590 nm, which was a ratiometric p H probe.     

PEGylated BODIPY assembling fluorescent nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy

Two PEGylated BODIPY which could self-assemble into nanoparticles were synthesized via multicomponent Passerini reaction for cellular imaging and photodynamic therapy.     

Optical recording of brain functions based on voltage-sensitive dyes

To better understand the spatial distribution of brain functions, we need to monitor and analyze neuronal activities. Electrophysiological technique has provided an important method for the exploration of some neural circuits. However, this method cannot simultaneously detect the activities of nerve cell groups.Therefore, methods that can monitor the spatial distribution of neuronal population activity are demanded to explore brain functions. Voltage-sensitive dyes(VSDs) shift their absorption or emission optical signals in response to different membrane potentials, allowing assessing the global electrical state of neurons. Optical recording technique coupled with VSDs is a promising method to monitor the brain functions by detecting optical signal changes. This review focuses on the fast and slow responses of VSDs to membrane potential changes and optical recordings utilized in the central nervous system. In this review, we attempt to show how VSDs and optical recordings can be used to obtain brain functional monitoring at high spatial and temporal resolution. Understanding of brain functions will not only greatly improve the cognition of information transmission of complex neural network, but also provide new methods of treating brain diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.     

酞菁配合物的结构与其光动力抗癌活性

光动力治疗是一种正在发展中的治疗癌症的新方法.主要是利用抗癌光敏剂可优先在 肿瘤组织中富集的特性和随后在适当波长的光照下所引发的光敏化反应来杀死癌肿瘤.自198 5年以来,酞菁配合物作为抗癌光敏剂的研究越来越引人注目. 此文在总结51篇参考文献的 基础上,提出了酞菁配合物的结构与其光动力抗癌活性的某些相关性,着重讨论了中心离子 、环取代基、轴向配体对光动力活性和相关物化性质的影响.得出的一个主要的结论是两亲 性酞菁是极具潜力的光敏剂.     

A new Vilsmeier-type reaction for one-pot synthesis of pH sensitive fluorescent cyanine dyes

A new Vilsmeier-type reaction is suggested for the synthesis of novel indocarbocyanine pH sensors, which are fluorescent when protonated but nonfluorescent upon proton abstraction. These sensors show significant ratiometric UV-visible as well as fluorescence spectral changes upon subtle variation of pHs with pK_a values near neutral.     

Conformationally restricted aza-BODIPY: highly fluorescent, stable near-infrared absorbing dyes

Novel NIR fluorescent, conformational restricted aza-dipyrromethene boron difluoride (aza-BODIPY) dyes were prepared by an efficient process. Such conformational restricted aza-BODIPY dyes possess intense absorption, strong fluorescence, high chemical and photostability. Additionally, the sharp fluorescence of non-amine containing aza-BODIPY dyes is insensitive to solvent polarity.     

Singlet oxygen generation ability of squarylium cyanine dyes

The quantum yields for singlet oxygen generation of several squarylium cyanine dyes derived from benzothiazole, benzoselenazole and quinoline, displaying absorption within the so-called “phototherapeutic window” (600–1000 nm), were determined, envisioning their potential usefulness for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The determination was performed by a direct method measuring the luminescence decay of the dyes in the near infrared. Considering the absorption and the quantum yields displayed by some of the dyes, these seemed to be potential candidates as sensitizers for PDT.     

Theranostic gold cluster nanoassembly for simultaneous enhanced cancer imaging and photodynamic therapy

As one of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent (FL) nanoprobes, gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) are delicated to passive-targeting tumors for NIR FL imaging, but which easily cleared by the kidneys for the small size (<1.5 nm). Herein, the well-defined gold clusters nanoassembly (Au CNA) was synthesized by the selfassembly of Au NCs based on protein cross-linking approach. The as-prepared Au CNA demonstrated highly effective cellular uptake and precise tumor targeting compared to that of Au NCs. Moreover, with the irradiation of 660 nm laser, Au CNA generated largely reactive oxygen species (ROS) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). In vitro and in vivo PDT revealed that Au CNA exhibited largely cell death and significantly tumor removal at a low power density of 0.2 W/cm². It could be speculated that the laser-excited Au CNA produced photon energy, which further obtained electron from oxygen to generate radical species. Therefore, Au CNA as a photosensitizer could realize NIR FL imaging and NIR laser induced PDT.     

The chemistry of fluorescent bodipy dyes: versatility unsurpassed

The world of organic luminophores has been confined for a long time to fairly standard biological labeling applications and to certain analytical tests. Recently, however, the field has undergone a major change of direction, driven by the dual needs to develop novel organic electronic materials and to fuel the rapidly emerging nanotechnologies. Among the many diverse fluorescent molecules, the Bodipy family, first developed as luminescent tags and laser dyes, has become a cornerstone for these new applications. The near future looks extremely bright for "porphyrin's little sister".     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of improved EGFR targeting peptide-conjugated phthalocyanine photosensitizers for tumor photodynamic therapy

A serial of peptide-conjugated zinc phthalocyanines with finely tuned structure modification were prepared and one optimized conjugate showed improved targeting towards tumors and abolished inoculated tumors with only a single PDT treatment in a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, making this approach a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.     

Photodynamic therapy: A special emphasis on nanocarrier-mediated delivery of photosensitizers in antimicrobial therapy

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs is an impending healthcare problem of growing significance. In the post-antibiotic era, there is a huge push to develop new tools for effectively treating bacterial infections. Photodynamic therapy involves the use of a photosensitizer that is activated by the use of light of an appropriate wavelength in the presence of oxygen. This results in the generation of singlet oxygen molecules that can kill the target cells, including cancerous cells and microbial cells. Photodynamic therapy is shown to be effective against parasites, viruses, algae, and bacteria. To achieve high antimicrobial activity, a sufficient concentration of photosensitizer should enter the microbial cells. Generally, photosensitizers tend to aggregate in aqueous environments resulting in the weakening of photochemical activity and lowering their uptake into cells. Nanocarrier systems are shown to be efficient in targeting photosensitizers into microbial cells and improve their therapeutic efficiency by enhancing the internalization of photosensitizers into microbial cells. This review aims to highlight the basic principles of photodynamic therapy with a special emphasis on the use of nanosystems in delivering photosensitizers for improving antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.     

Push-pull amino succinimidyl ester thiophene-based fluorescent dyes: synthesis and optical characterization

The design and synthesis of new fluorescent dyes with emission range at 490-650 nm are described. Their structural and electronic properties have been characterized by both experimental techniques and quantum-chemical calculations. The chromophores are donor-π-bridge-acceptor push-pull compounds with a π bridge of phenyl and thiophene rings and their combination. Compared with previous thiophene fluorophores, these dyes show significant redshift in the absorption and emission spectra and offer compact, red-emitting fluorophores. The dyes have amino succinimidyl active ester and can be readily conjugated to proteins, polymers and other amino-group-containing materials.     

近红外发光的聚集诱导发光分子在抗菌光动力治疗中的应用

抗生素的误用和滥用,使越来越多的耐药细菌出现,对人类构成致命威胁。近年来,聚集诱导发光材料的发展和生物学科的交叉融合,为治疗细菌感染提供了许多创新思路。相对于紫外/可见光,近红外(NIR)光具有优异的组织深度渗透性和安全性等独特优势,有利于构建光动力抗菌平台进行深度治疗。随着对聚集诱导发光分子(AIEgens)设计及应用的不断探索,AIEgens在光动力抗菌治疗中表现出巨大的应用潜力。本文综述了NIR发光的AIEgens通过光动力疗法治疗细菌感染的研究进展,讨论了不同结构的聚集诱导发光材料存在的主要问题以及该领域当前的挑战和前景。     

A Photodynamic System based on Endogenous Bioluminescence for in vitro Anticancer Studies

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is becoming an important cancer treatment in recent years. However, at present, the therapeutic effect of PDT is limited due to insufficient penetration depth of light. In this study, a new photodynamic system (d ‐Lu)PCN‐224 is constructed by porphyrin‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF) PCN‐224 and bioluminescent molecule d ‐fluorescein (d ‐Lu). The bioluminescence (BL) spectrum of the reaction overlaps with the absorption spectrum of PCN‐224, so it is speculated that bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between the MOF and d ‐Lu which indicates inner light can be gained and used for PDT. Confocal imaging analysis and cytotoxicity assays have demonstrated that (d ‐Lu)PCN‐224 can produce singlet oxygen and decrease the cell viability of SKOV‐3. This system provides a possibility of PDT for deep‐level organization without an external light source.     

Synthesis and stability of BODIPY‐based fluorescent polymer brushes at different pHs

We report a simple strategy for the grafting of poly(methacrylic acid) [poly(MAA)] brushes from silicon substrate by surface‐initiated RAFT polymerization and the subsequent coupling of BODIPY to these brushes to render them fluorescent. The poly(MAA) brushes were first generated by functionalization of hydrogen‐terminated silicon substrate with methyl‐10‐undecenoate which both leads to the formation of an organic layer covalently linked to the surface via Si? C bonds without detectable reaction of the carboxylate groups and couples to the polymerization initiator, followed by surface‐initiated RAFT polymerization of tert‐butyl methacrylate from these substrate‐bound initiator centers, and finally conversion of tert‐butyl groups to carboxylic acid groups. The poly(MAA) brushes were then made fluorescent by grafting a BODIPY derivative via an ester linkage. The stability of the BODIPY‐based fluorescent polymer brushes in buffer solutions at pH 6.0 to 12.0 with added salt was investigated by ellipsometry, fluorescence microscopy, grazing angle‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of these measurements indicated that the organic molecule‐initiator bond (ester linkage) is unstable and can be hydrolyzed resulting in detaching of the immobilized polymer from the silicon substrate. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3586–3596