近红外上转换纳米转换器在光遗传学调控中的应用

光遗传学作为一种新兴的生物技术,能够在时间和空间上精准调控生理功能。尤其是在基于视紫红质离子通道蛋白来操控神经兴奋性及钙信号通路激活等方面,近年来该技术吸引了广泛的关注。然而,目前该技术所使用的光遗传学工具只能被可见光激发,难以穿透深层组织并实现无创地光学调控。为了解决这个问题,最近一些研究通过使用稀土掺杂上转换纳米粒子作为光转换器,将组织可穿透的近红外光转化为可见光发射,从而使复杂活体条件下的光遗传学调控成为可能。我们对近年来上转换纳米粒子介导的光遗传学技术的开发和应用进展做了详细的总结。另外,关于未来如何进一步推进该技术可用于临床研究提出了建议和展望。

Application of Near-Infrared Upconversion Nanotransducers in Optogenetic Regulation

As an emerging biotechnology optogenetics attracts tremendous attention in spatiotemporal control of biological functions, especially in neuronal excitability manipulation through channelrhodopsins (ChRs). However, it remains a major challenge for noninvasive deep-tissue applications due to current optogenetic tools are mainly visible light-sensitive. To address this issue, recent studies have utilized lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), as promising photo-nanotransducers that can convert near-infrared (NIR) light to visible emissions, thereby facilitating the optogenetic regulation in complex living systems. In this review, the development and advances in UCNPs-based optogentics are summarized in detail. In addition, future perspectives for advancing such a hybrid upconversion optogenetic technique into clinical research are proposed.