Monitoring biophysical properties of lipid membranes by environment-sensitive fluorescent probes

Spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging of Nile red for measurements of intracellular polarity

Spectrally resolved confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging have been used to measure the polarity of lipid-rich regions in living HeLa cells stained with Nile red. The emission peak from the solvatochromic dye in lipid droplets is at a shorter wavelength than other, more polar, stained internal membranes, and this is indicative of a low polarity environment. We estimate that the dielectric constant, ϵ , is around 5 in lipid droplets and 25<ϵ<40 in other lipid-rich regions. Our spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) data show that intracellular Nile red exhibits complex, multiexponential fluorescence decays due to emission from a short lifetime locally excited state and a longer lifetime intramolecular charge transfer state. We measure an increase in the average fluorescence lifetime of the dye with increasing emission wavelength, as shown using phasor plots of the FLIM data. We also show using these phasor plots that the shortest lifetime decay components arise from lipid droplets. Thus, fluorescence lifetime is a viable contrast parameter for distinguishing lipid droplets from other stained lipid-rich regions. Finally, we discuss the FLIM of Nile red as a method for simultaneously mapping both polarity and relative viscosity based on fluorescence lifetime measurements.

Intracellular cascade FRET for temperature imaging of living cells with polymeric ratiometric fluorescent thermometers

Intracellular temperature plays a prominent role in cellular functions and biochemical activities inside living cells, but effective intracellular temperature sensing and imaging is still in its infancy. Herein, thermoresponsive double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs)-based fluorescent thermometers were fabricated to investigate their application in intracellular temperature imaging. Blue-emitting coumarin monomer, CMA, green-emitting 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD) monomer, NBDAE, and red-emitting rhodamine B monomer, RhBEA, were copolymerized separately with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) to afford dye-labeled PEG-b-P(NIPAM-co-CMA), PEG-b-P(NIPAM-co-NBDAE), and PEG-b-P(NIPAM-co-RhBEA). Because of the favorable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) potentials between CMA and NBDAE, NBDAE and RhBEA, as well as the slight tendency between CMA and RhBEA fluorophore pairs, three polymeric thermometers based on traditional one-step FRET were fabricated by facile mixing two of these three fluorescent DHBCs, whereas exhibiting limited advantages. Thus, two-step cascade FRET among three polymeric fluorophores was further interrogated, in which NBD acted as a bridging dye by transferring energy from CMA to RhBEA. Through the delicate optimization of the molar contents of three polymeric components, a ∼8.4-fold ratio change occurred in the temperature range of 20-44 °C, and the detection sensitivity improved significantly, reached as low as ∼0.4 °C, which definitely outperformed other one-step FRET thermometers in the intracellular temperature imaging of living cells. To our knowledge, this work represents the first example of polymeric ratiometric thermometer employing thermoresponsive polymer-based cascade FRET mechanism.

Solvatochromic Nile Red probes with FRET quencher reveal lipid order heterogeneity in living and apoptotic cells

Detecting and imaging lipid microdomains (rafts) in cell membranes remain a challenge despite intensive research in the field. Two types of fluorescent probes are used for this purpose: one specifically labels a given phase (liquid ordered, Lo, or liquid disordered, Ld), while the other, being environment-sensitive (solvatochromic), stains the two phases in different emission colors. Here, we combined the two approaches by designing a phase-sensitive probe of the Ld phase and a quencher of the Ld phase. The former is an analogue of the recently developed Nile Red-based probe NR12S, bearing a bulky hydrophobic chain (bNR10S), while the latter is based on Black Hole Quencher-2 designed as bNR10S (bQ10S). Fluorescence spectroscopy of large unilamellar vesicles and microscopy of giant vesicles showed that the bNR10S probe can partition specifically into the Ld phase, while bQ10S can specifically quench the NR12S probe in the Ld phase so that only its fraction in the Lo phase remains fluorescent. Thus, the toolkit of two probes with quencher can specifically target Ld and Lo phases and identify their lipid order from the emission color. Application of this toolkit in living cells (HeLa, CHO, and 293T cell lines) revealed heterogeneity in the cell plasma membranes, observed as distinct probe environments close to the Lo and Ld phases of model membranes. In HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis, our toolkit showed the formation of separate domains of the Ld-like phase in the form of blebs. The developed tools open new possibilities in lipid raft research.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of membrane lipid order with a ratiometric fluorescent probe

To monitor the lateral segregation of lipids into liquid-ordered (Lo) and -disordered (Ld) phases in lipid membranes, environment-sensitive dyes that partition in both phases but stain them differently have been developed. Of particular interest is the dual-color F2N12S probe, which can discriminate the two phases through the ratio of its two emission bands. These bands are associated with the normal (N(∗)) and tautomer (T(∗)) excited-state species that result from an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer. In this work, we investigated the potency of the time-resolved fluorescence parameters of F2N12S to discriminate lipid phases in model and cell membranes. Both the long and mean lifetime values of the T(∗) form of F2N12S were found to differ by twofold between Ld and Lo phases as a result of the restriction in the relative motions of the two aromatic moieties of F2N12S imposed by the highly packed Lo phase. This differed from the changes in the ratio of the two emission bands between the two phases, which mainly resulted from the decreased hydration of the N(∗) form in the Lo phase. Importantly, the strong difference in lifetimes between the two phases was preserved when cholesterol was added to the Ld phase. The two phases could be imaged with high contrast by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) on giant unilamellar vesicles. FLIM images of F2N12S-labeled live HeLa cells confirmed that the plasma membrane was mainly in the Lo-like phase. Furthermore, the two phases were found to be homogeneously distributed all over the plasma membrane, indicating that they are highly mixed at the spatiotemporal resolution of the FLIM setup. Finally, FLIM could also be used to sensitively monitor the change in lipid phase upon cholesterol depletion and apoptosis.

Tethered Lipid Bilayers within Porous Si Nanostructures: A Platform for (Optical) Real-Time Monitoring of Membrane-Associated Processes

The importance of cell membranes in biological systems has prompted the development of artificial lipid bilayers, which can mimic the cellular membrane structure. Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) have emerged as a promising avenue for studying basic membrane processes and for possible biotechnological applications. Conventional methods for SLB formation involve the spreading of lipid vesicles on hydrophilic solid supports. Herein, a facile approach for the construction of tethered SLB within an oxidized porous Si (pSiO2) nanostructure, avoiding liposome preparation, is presented. We employ a two-step lipid self-assembly process, in which a first lipid layer is tethered to the pore walls resulting in a highly stable monolayer. A subsequent solvent exchange step induces the self-assembly of the unbound lipids into a robust SLB. Formation of pSiO2-SLB is confirmed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and the properties of the confined SLB are characterized by environment-sensitive fluorophores. The unique optical properties of the pSiO2 support are employed to monitor in real time the partitioning of a model amphiphilic molecule within the SLB via reflective interferometric Fourier transform spectroscopy (RIFTS) method. These self-reporting SLB platforms provide a highly generic approach for bottom-up construction of complex lipid architectures for performing biological assays at the micro- and nanoscale.

The nanoscale organization of signaling domains at the plasma membrane

In this chapter, we present an overview of the role of the nanoscale organization of signaling domains in regulating key cellular processes. In particular, we illustrate the importance of protein and lipid nanodomains as triggers and mediators of cell signaling. As particular examples, we summarize the state of the art of understanding the role of nanodomains in the mounting of an immune response, cellular adhesion, intercellular communication, and cell proliferation. Thus, this chapter underlines the essential role the nanoscale organization of key signaling proteins and lipid domains. We will also see how nanodomains play an important role in the lifecycle of many pathogens relevant to human disease and therefore illustrate how these structures may become future therapeutic targets.

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone capped fluorescent anthracene nanoparticles for sensing fluorescein sodium in aqueous solution and analytical application for ophthalmic samples

Based on the known complexation ability between polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and fluorescein sodium (FL Na(+)), fluorescent PVP capped anthracene nanoparticles (PVP-ANPs) were prepared using a reprecipitation method for detection of fluorescein in aqueous solution using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach. A dynamic light scattering histogram of PVP-ANPs showed narrower particle size distribution and the average particle size was 15 nm. The aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) of PVP-ANPs was red shifted from its monomer by 1087.22 cm(-1). The maximum emission was seen to occur at 420 nm. The presence of FL Na(+) in the vicinity of PVP-ANPs quenched the fluorescence of PVP-ANPs because of its adsorption on the surface of PVP-ANPs in aqueous suspension. The FL Na(+) and PVP-ANPs were brought close enough, typically to 7.89 nm, which was less than the distance of 10 nm that is required between the energy donor-acceptor molecule for efficient FRET. The quenching results fit into the Stern-Volmer relationship even at temperatures greater than ambient temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters determined from FRET results helped to propose binding mechanisms involving hydrophobic and electrostatic molecular interaction. The fluorescence quenching results were used further to develop an analytical method for estimation of fluorescein sodium from ophthalmic samples available commercially in the market.

Design and Synthesis of Mixed Oligomers with Thiophenes, Dithienothiophene S,S-Dioxides, Thieno[3,4]pyrazines and 2,1,3-Benzothiadiazoles: Flipper Screening for Mechanosensitive Systems

Monomers with large surface area and high quantum yield, that is fluorescent flippers, have been engineered into twisted push–pull oligomers to create membrane probes with high mechanosensitivity and long fluorescence lifetime. Here, the synthesis and characterization of thieno[3,4]pyrazines and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles are described in comparison with the original dithienothiophene S,S-dioxides. Dithienothiophene S,S-dioxide flippers are confirmed as the best reported so far, and poor results with single flipper probes support that two flippers are needed for the probe to really “swim”, that is, for high mechanosensitivity.

Molecular interactions of rifabutin with membrane under acidic conditions

This work focuses on the interaction of the anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drug, rifabutin (RFB) with cell membrane models formed by 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). The experiments were performed under acidic conditions (i.e., pH 5.0) taking into account the pH conditions that RFB may find in the course of its in vivo pharmacological activity. The partition of the drug to the membrane was quantified through the partition coefficient (Kp). Fluorescence quenching studies were performed to predict the drug's location across the cell membrane model. The effect of RFB on the biophysical parameters of the cell membrane model was studied by steady-state anisotropy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The overall results point to a marked interaction of RFB with cell membranes under acidic pH, which may be related with its pharmacological effects. The in vivo success of RFB may be associated with the drug's disordering effect of the membranes under acidic pH values environments, and consequently drug accumulation in the gastric infected tissues and inside phagolysosomes. On the other hand, the present study allowed establishing important correlations with the gastrointestinal side effects caused by RFB.

Blue fluorogenic probes for cell plasma membranes fill the gap in multicolour imaging

Newly synthesized blue membrane probes, due to high brightness, large Stokes shift and fluorogenic response, overcome the problem of cell auto-fluorescence and enable multicolor cellular imaging with common green and red markers.

Macrophage targeted theranostics as personalized nanomedicine strategies for inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory disease management poses challenges due to the complexity of inflammation and inherent patient variability, thereby necessitating patient-specific therapeutic interventions. Theranostics, which integrate therapeutic and imaging functionalities, can be used for simultaneous imaging and treatment of inflammatory diseases. Theranostics could facilitate assessment of safety, toxicity and real-time therapeutic efficacy leading to personalized treatment strategies. Macrophages are an important cellular component of inflammatory diseases, participating in varied roles of disease exacerbation and resolution. The inherent phagocytic nature, abundance and disease homing properties of macrophages can be targeted for imaging and therapeutic purposes. This review discusses the utility of theranostics in macrophage ablation, phenotype modulation and inhibition of their inflammatory activity leading to resolution of inflammation in several diseases.

Introduction to fluorescence probing of biological membranes

Fluorescence is one of the most powerful and commonly used tools in biophysical studies of biomembrane structure and dynamics that can be applied on different levels, from lipid monolayers and bilayers to living cells, tissues, and whole animals. Successful application of this method relies on proper design of fluorescence probes with optimized photophysical properties. These probes are efficient for studying the microscopic analogs of viscosity, polarity, and hydration, as well as the molecular order, environment relaxation, and electrostatic potentials at the sites of their location. Being smaller than the membrane width they can sense the gradients of these parameters across the membrane. We present examples of novel dyes that achieve increased spatial resolution and information content of the probe responses. In this respect, multiparametric environment-sensitive probes feature considerable promise.

The Laurdan spectral phasor method to explore membrane micro-heterogeneity and lipid domains in live cells

In this method paper we describe the spectral phasor analysis applied to Laurdan emission for the assessment of the fluidity of different membranes in live cells. We first introduce the general context and then we show how to obtain the spectral phasor from data acquired using a commercial microscope.

Biocompatible flavone-based fluorogenic probes for quick wash-free mitochondrial imaging in living cells

Mitochondria, vital organelles existing in almost all eukaryotic cells, play a crucial role in energy metabolism and apoptosis of aerobic organisms. In this work, we report two new flavone-based fluorescent probes, MC-Mito1 and MC-Mito2, for monitoring mitochondria in living cells. These two probes exhibit remarkably low toxicity, good cell permeability, and high specificity; these probes complement the existing library of mitochondrial imaging agents. The new dyes give nearly no background fluorescence, and their application does not require tedious postwashing after cell staining. The appreciable tolerance of MC-Mito2 encourages a broader range of biological applications for understanding the cell degeneration and apoptosis mechanism.

Photostable bipolar fluorescent probe for video tracking plasma membranes related cellular processes

Plasma membranes can sense the stimulations and transmit the signals from extracellular environment and then make further responses through changes in locations, shapes or morphologies. Common fluorescent membrane markers are not well suited for long time tracking due to their shorter retention time inside plasma membranes and/or their lower photostability. To this end, we develop a new bipolar marker, Mem-SQAC, which can stably insert into plasma membranes of different cells and exhibits a long retention time over 30 min. Mem-SQAC also inherits excellent photostability from the BODIPY dye family. Large two-photon absorption cross sections and long wavelength fluorescence emissions further enhance the competitiveness of Mem-SQAC as a membrane marker. By using Mem-SQAC, significant morphological changes of plasma membranes have been monitored during heavy metal poisoning and drug induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells; the change tendencies are so distinctly different from each other that they can be used as indicators to distinguish different cell injuries. Further on, the complete processes of endocytosis toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by RAW 264.7 cells have been dynamically tracked. It is discovered that plasma membranes take quite different actions in response to the two bacteria, information unavailable in previous research reports.

Characterization of M-laurdan, a versatile probe to explore order in lipid membranes

Microdomains corresponding to localized partition of lipids between ordered and less ordered environments are the subject of intensive investigations, because of their putative participation in modulating cellular responses. One popular approach in the field consists in labelling membranes with solvatochromic fluorescent probes such as laurdan and C-laurdan. In this report, we describe a high-yield procedure for the synthesis of laurdan, C-laurdan and two new fluorophores, called MoC-laurdan and M-laurdan, as well as their extensive photophysical characterization. We find that the latter probe, M-laurdan, is particularly suited to discriminate lipid phases independently of the chemical nature of the lipids, as measured by both fluorescence Generalized Polarization (GP) and anisotropy in large unilamellar vesicles made of various lipid compositions. In addition, staining of live cells with M-laurdan shows a good stability over time without any apparent toxicity, as well as a wider distribution in the various cell compartments than the other probes.

Peripheral and integral membrane binding of peptides characterized by time-dependent fluorescence shifts: focus on antimicrobial peptide LAH₄

Positioning of peptides with respect to membranes is an important parameter for biological and biophysical studies using model systems. Our experiments using five different membrane peptides suggest that the time-dependent fluorescence shift (TDFS) of Laurdan can help when distinguishing between peripheral and integral membrane binding and can be a useful, novel tool for studying the impact of transmembrane peptides (TMP) on membrane organization under near-physiological conditions. This article focuses on LAH4, a model α-helical peptide with high antimicrobial and nucleic acid transfection efficiencies. The predominantly helical peptide has been shown to orient in supported model membranes parallel to the membrane surface at acidic and, in a transmembrane manner, at basic pH. Here we investigate its interaction with fully hydrated large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) by TDFS and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). TDFS shows that at acidic pH LAH4 does not influence the glycerol region while at basic pH it makes acyl groups at the glycerol level of the membrane less mobile. TDFS experiments with antimicrobial peptides alamethicin and magainin 2, which are known to assume transmembrane and peripheral orientations, respectively, prove that changes in acyl group mobility at the glycerol level correlate with the orientation of membrane-associated peptide molecules. Analogous experiments with the TMPs LW21 and LAT show similar effects on the mobility of those acyl groups as alamethicin and LAH4 at basic pH. FCS, on the same neutral lipid bilayer vesicles, shows that the peripheral binding mode of LAH4 is more efficient in bilayer permeation than the transmembrane mode. In both cases, the addition of LAH4 does not lead to vesicle disintegration. The influence of negatively charged lipids on the bilayer permeation is also addressed.

Monoalkoxy BODIPYs--a fluorophore class for bioimaging

Small molecule fluorophores are indispensable tools for modern biomedical imaging techniques. In this report, we present the development of a new class of BODIPY dyes based on an alkoxy-fluoro-boron-dipyrromethene core. These novel fluorescent dyes, which we term MayaFluors, are characterized by good aqueous solubility and favorable in vitro physicochemical properties. MayaFluors are readily accessible in good yields in a one-pot, two-step approach starting from well-established BODIPY dyes, and allow for facile modification with functional groups of relevance to bioconjugate chemistry and bioorthogonal labeling. Biological profiling in living cells demonstrates excellent membrane permeability, low nonspecific binding, and lack of cytotoxicity.

Coexistence of probe conformations in lipid phases-a polarized fluorescence microspectroscopy study

Several well-established fluorescence methods depend on environment-sensitive probes that report about molecular properties of their local environment. For reliable interpretation of experiments, careful characterization of probes' behavior is required. In this study, bleaching-corrected polarized fluorescence microspectroscopy with nanometer spectral peak position resolution was applied to characterize conformations of two alkyl chain-labeled 7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl phospholipids in three model membranes, representing the three main lipid phases. The combination of polarized and spectral detection revealed two main probe conformations with their preferential fluorophore dipole orientations roughly parallel and perpendicular to membrane normal. Their peak positions were separated by 2-6 nm because of different local polarities and depended on lipid environment. The relative populations of conformations, estimated by a numerical model, indicated a specific sensitivity of the two probes to molecular packing with cholesterol. The coexistence of probe conformations could be further exploited to investigate membrane organization below microscopy spatial resolution, such as lipid rafts. With the addition of polarized excitation or detection to any environment-sensitive fluorescence imaging technique, the conformational analysis can be directly applied to explore local membrane complexity.

Fluorescence imaging of MACPF/CDC proteins: new techniques and their application

Structural and biochemical investigations have helped illuminate many of the important details of MACPF/CDC pore formation. However, conventional techniques are limited in their ability to tackle many of the remaining key questions, and new biophysical techniques might provide the means to improve our understanding. Here we attempt to identify the properties of MACPF/CDC proteins that warrant further study, and explore how new developments in fluorescence imaging are able to probe these properties.

Monitoring penetratin interactions with lipid membranes and cell internalization using a new hydration-sensitive fluorescent probe

A new hydration-sensitive fluorescent label attached to the N-terminus of a cell-penetrating peptide allows visualization of the nanoscopic environment of its internalization pathway.

Modification of plasma membrane organization in tobacco cells elicited by cryptogein

Lipid mixtures within artificial membranes undergo a separation into liquid-disordered and liquid-ordered phases. However, the existence of this segregation into microscopic liquid-ordered phases has been difficult to prove in living cells, and the precise organization of the plasma membrane into such phases has not been elucidated in plant cells. We developed a multispectral confocal microscopy approach to generate ratiometric images of the plasma membrane surface of Bright Yellow 2 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) suspension cells labeled with an environment sensitive fluorescent probe. This allowed the in vivo characterization of the global level of order of this membrane, by which we could demonstrate that an increase in its proportion of ordered phases transiently occurred in the early steps of the signaling triggered by cryptogein and flagellin, two elicitors of plant defense reactions. The use of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed an increase in plasma membrane fluidity induced by cryptogein, but not by flagellin. Moreover, we characterized the spatial distribution of liquid-ordered phases on the membrane of living plant cells and monitored their variations induced by cryptogein elicitation. We analyze these results in the context of plant defense signaling, discuss their meaning within the framework of the "membrane raft" hypothesis, and propose a new mechanism of signaling platform formation in response to elicitor treatment.

Di- and tri-oxalkyl derivatives of a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) rotor dye in lipid bilayers

Di- and tri-alkylated variants of a BODIPY rotor: carefully characterised probes sensing the liquid or gel state of lipid membranes.

Monitoring membrane properties and apoptosis using membrane probes of the 3-hydroxyflavone family

Environment-sensitive fluorescent membrane probes are attractive tools for investigating the membrane properties and their changes under perturbing conditions. Membrane probes of the 3-hydroxyflavone family are of particular interest due to their excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction, which confers a dual emission highly sensitive to the polarity and hydration of the environment. In the present work, we will describe the protocols used with these probes in order to monitor the physicochemical properties of lipid membrane models and cell plasma membranes and to detect apoptosis.

Fluorescent probes for lipid rafts: from model membranes to living cells

Membrane microdomains (rafts) remain one of the controversial issues in biophysics. Fluorescent molecular probes, which make these lipid nanostructures visible through optical techniques, are one of the tools currently used to study lipid rafts. The most common are lipophilic fluorescent probes that partition specifically into liquid ordered or liquid disordered phase. Their partition depends on the lipid composition of a given phase, which complicates their use in cellular membranes. A second class of probes is based on environment-sensitive dyes, which partition into both phases, but stain them by different fluorescence color, intensity, or lifetime. These probes can directly address the properties of each separate phase, but their cellular applications are still limited. The present review focuses on summarizing the current state in the field of developing and applying fluorescent molecular probes to study lipid rafts. We highlight an urgent need to develop new probes, specifically adapted for cell plasma membranes and compatible with modern fluorescence microscopy techniques to push the understanding of membrane microdomains forward.

Dual-fluorescence L-amino acid reports insertion and orientation of melittin peptide in cell membranes

Monitoring insertion and orientation of peptides in situ on cell membranes remains a challenge. To this end, we synthesized an l-amino acid (AFaa) containing a dual-fluorescence dye of the 3-hydroxyflavone family, as a side chain. In contrast to other labeling approaches using a flexible linker, the AFaa fluorophore, introduced by solid phase synthesis into desired position of a peptide, is attached closely to its backbone with well-defined orientation, and, therefore, could reflect its localization in the membrane. This concept was validated by replacing the leucine-9 (L9) and tryptophan-19 (W19) residues by AFaa in melittin, a well-studied membrane-active peptide. Due to high sensitivity of AFaa dual emission to the environment polarity, we detected a much deeper insertion of L9 peptide position into the bilayer, compared to the W19 position. Moreover, using fluorescence microscopy with a polarized light excitation, we found different orientation of AFaa at L9 and W19 positions of melittin in the bilayers of giant vesicles and cellular membranes. These results suggested that in the natural membranes, similarly to the model lipid bilayers, melittin is preferentially oriented parallel to the membrane surface. The developed amino acid and the proposed methodology will be of interest to study other membrane peptides.

Bleaching-corrected fluorescence microspectroscopy with nanometer peak position resolution

Fluorescence microspectroscopy (FMS) with environmentally sensitive dyes provides information about local molecular surroundings at microscopic spatial resolution. Until recently, only probes exhibiting large spectral shifts due to local changes have been used. For filter-based experimental systems, where signal at different wavelengths is acquired sequentially, photostability has been required in addition. Herein, we systematically analyzed our spectral fitting models and bleaching correction algorithms which mitigate both limitations. We showed that careful analysis of data acquired by stochastic wavelength sampling enables nanometer spectral peak position resolution even for highly photosensitive fluorophores. To demonstrate how small spectral shifts and changes in bleaching rates can be exploited, we analyzed vesicles in different lipid phases. Our findings suggest that a wide range of dyes, commonly used in bulk spectrofluorimetry but largely avoided in microspectroscopy due to the above-mentioned restrictions, can be efficiently applied also in FMS.

Reaction-based and single fluorescent emitter decorated ratiometric nanoprobe to detect hydrogen peroxide

A novel reaction-based cross-linked polymeric nanoprobe with a self-calibrating ratiometric fluorescence readout to selectively detect H2O2 is reported. The polymeric nanoprobe is fabricated by using hydrophobic H2O2-reactive boronic ester groups, crosslinker units, and environmentally sensitive 3-hydroxyflavone fluorophores through a miniemulsion polymerization. On treatment with H2O2, the boronic esters in the polymer are cleaved to form hydrophilic alcohols and subsequently lead to a hydrophobic-hydrophilic transition. Covalently linked 3-hydroxyflavones manifest the change in polarity as a ratiometric transition from green to blue, accompanied by a 500-fold increase in volume. Furthermore, this nanoprobe has been used for ratiometric sensing of glucose by monitoring the H2O2 generated during the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase, and thus successfully distinguished between normal and pathological levels of glucose.

Excited-state proton coupled charge transfer modulated by molecular structure and media polarization

Charge and proton transfer reactions in the excited states of organic dyes can be coupled in many different ways. Despite the complementarity of charges, they can occur on different time scales and in different directions of the molecular framework. In certain cases, excited-state equilibrium can be established between the charge-transfer and proton-transfer species. The interplay of these reactions can be modulated and even reversed by variations in dye molecular structures and changes of the surrounding media. With knowledge of the mechanisms of these processes, desired rates and directions can be achieved, and thus the multiple emission spectral features can be harnessed. These features have found versatile applications in a number of cutting-edge technological areas, particularly in fluorescence sensing and imaging.

Comparison between cucurbiturils and β-cyclodextrin interactions with cholesterol molecules present in Langmuir monolayers used as a biomembrane model

Specific surface techniques can probe the interaction of cholesterol (Chol) with substances that are able to host and/or sequester this biomolecule, provided that the additives are properly assembled at the interface. Reports on inclusion complexes of Chol with β-cyclodextrins exist in the literature. Here we compare the interaction of β-cyclodextrin and cucurbiturils with Chol present in Langmuir phospholipid (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC) monolayers, used as a biomembrane model. Cucurbiturils, CB[n], comprise macrocyclic host molecules consisting of n glycoluril units. Classic surface pressure curves, dilatational surface viscoelasticity measurements, and fluorescence emission spectra and images obtained by time-resolved fluorescence of the corresponding Langmuir-Blodgett films have shown that homologues with 5 and 6 glycoluril units, CB[5] and CB[6], do not form inclusion complexes. Higher-order homologues, such as CB[7], are likely to complex with Chol with changes in the minimum molecular areas recorded for DPPC/Chol monolayers, the fluorescence decay lifetimes, and the dilatational surface viscosities of the monolayers generated in the presence of these molecules. Moreover, we proof the removal of cholesterol from the biomimetic interface in the presence of CB[7] by means of fluorescence spectra from the subphase support of monolayers containing fluorescent-labeled Chol.