Simultaneous imaging of mitochondria and lysosomes by using two-photon fluorescent probes

In Vivo Two-Photon Imaging Analysis of Dynamic Degradation of Hepatic Lipid Droplets in MS-275-Treated Mouse Liver

The accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets (LDs) is a hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Appropriate degradation of hepatic LDs and oxidation of complete free fatty acids (FFAs) are important for preventing the development of NAFLD. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is involved in the impaired lipid metabolism seen in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Here, we evaluated the effect of MS-275, an inhibitor of HDAC1/3, on the degradation of hepatic LDs and FFA oxidation in HFD-induced NAFLD mice. To assess the dynamic degradation of hepatic LDs and FFA oxidation in fatty livers of MS-275-treated HFD C57BL/6J mice, an intravital two-photon imaging system was used and biochemical analysis was performed. The MS-275 improved hepatic metabolic alterations in HFD-induced fatty liver by increasing the dynamic degradation of hepatic LDs and the interaction between LDs and lysozyme in the fatty liver. Numerous peri-droplet mitochondria, lipolysis, and lipophagy were observed in the MS-275-treated mouse fatty liver. Biochemical analysis revealed that the lipolysis and autophagy pathways were activated in MS-275 treated mouse liver. In addition, MS-275 reduced the de novo lipogenesis, but increased the mitochondrial oxidation and the expression levels of oxidation-related genes, such as PPARa, MCAD, CPT1b, and FGF21. Taken together, these results suggest that MS-275 stimulates the degradation of hepatic LDs and mitochondrial free fatty acid oxidation, thus protecting against HFD-induced NAFLD.

Highly Sensitive Two-Photon Lipid Droplet Tracker for In Vivo Screening of Drug Induced Liver Injury

Lipid droplets (LDs) are lipid-abundant organelles found in most cell lines and primarily consist of neutral lipids. They serve as a repository of various lipids and are associated with many cellular metabolic processes, including energy storage, membrane synthesis, and protein homeostasis. LDs are prominent in a variety of diseases related to lipid regulation, including obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. To monitor LD dynamics in live samples, we developed a highly selective two-photon fluorescent tracker for LDs (LD1). It exhibited outstanding sensitivity with a remarkable two-photon-action cross section (Φδ_max > 600 GM), photostability, and low cytotoxicity. In human hepatocytes and in vivo mouse liver tissue imaging, LD1 showed very bright fluorescence with high LD selectivity and minimized background signal to evaluate the stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Interestingly, we demonstrated that the liver sinusoid morphology became narrower with increasing LD size and visualized the dynamics including fusion of the LDs in vivo. Moreover, real-time and dual-color TPM imaging with LD1 and a two-photon lysosome tracker could be a useful predictive screening tool in the drug development process to monitor impending drug-induced liver injury inducing drug candidates.

Two-photon probes for the endoplasmic reticulum: its detection in a live tissue by two-photon microscopy

BER-blue and FER-green can detect the endoplasmic reticulum in a live tissue by two-photon microscopy.

Two-Photon Probe for TNF-α. Assessment of the Transmembrane TNF-α Level in Human Colon Tissue by Two-Photon Microscopy

We developed Pyr1-infliximab: a two-photon probe for TNF-α. Pyr1-infliximab showed absorption maxima at 280 and 438 nm and an emission maximum at 610 nm in an aqueous buffer and effective two-photon action cross-section values of (520-2830) × 10^-50 cm⁴s/photon in RAW 264.7 cells. After this probe was labeled, it was possible to detect Pyr1-infliximab-transmembrane TNF-α complexes in a live cell and to determine the relative proportion of these complexes in human colon tissues. This proportion among healthy, possibly inflamed, and inflamed tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis was found to be 1.0/4.5/10. This probe may find useful applications for selective detection of transmembrane TNF-α in a live cell or tissue, for quantification of inflammation in human colon tissue or of antidrug antibodies in patients who stop responding to anti-TNF therapy, and for monitoring of the response to this therapy.

Tuning the π-bridge of quadrupolar triarylborane chromophores for one- and two-photon excited fluorescence imaging of lysosomes in live cells

A series of tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores containing three-coordinate boron π-acceptors linked by different π-bridges, namely 4,4'-biphenyl, 2,7-pyrene, 2,7-fluorene, 3,6-carbazole and 5,5'-di(thien-2-yl)-3,6-diketopyrrolopyrrole, were synthesized. While their neutral precursors 1-5 displayed highly solvatochromic fluorescence, the water-soluble tetracationic target molecules 1M-5M, did not, but their emission colour could be tuned from blue to pink by changing the π-bridge. Compound 5M, containing the diketopyrrolopyrrole bridge, exhibits the most red-shifted absorption and emission maxima and the largest two-photon absorption cross-section (4560 GM at 740 nm in MeCN). Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells confirm localization of the dye at the lysosome. Moreover, the low cytotoxicity, and high photostability of 5M combined with two-photon excited fluorescence imaging studies demonstrate its excellent potential for lysosomal imaging in live cells.

Fluorogenic l-alanylaminopeptidase substrates derived from 6-amino-2-hetarylquinolines and 7-amino-3-hetarylcoumarins and their potential applications in diagnostic microbiology

Six novel fluorogenic enzyme substrates for detecting l-alanylaminopeptidase activity in microorganisms have been prepared and evaluated in Columbia agar media. The substrates are l-alanyl derivatives of 6-amino-2-hetarylquinolines and 7-amino-3-hetarylcoumarins. Both the quinoline and coumarin series of substrates produced fluorescence in the presence of Gram-negative microorganisms. In contrast, fluorescence generation in the presence of the Gram-positive microorganisms and yeasts was limited or absent.

Two-photon probes for in vivo multicolor microscopy of the structure and signals of brain cells

Imaging the brain of living laboratory animals at a microscopic scale can be achieved by two-photon microscopy thanks to the high penetrability and low phototoxicity of the excitation wavelengths used. However, knowledge of the two-photon spectral properties of the myriad fluorescent probes is generally scarce and, for many, non-existent. In addition, the use of different measurement units in published reports further hinders the design of a comprehensive imaging experiment. In this review, we compile and homogenize the two-photon spectral properties of 280 fluorescent probes. We provide practical data, including the wavelengths for optimal two-photon excitation, the peak values of two-photon action cross section or molecular brightness, and the emission ranges. Beyond the spectroscopic description of these fluorophores, we discuss their binding to biological targets. This specificity allows in vivo imaging of cells, their processes, and even organelles and other subcellular structures in the brain. In addition to probes that monitor endogenous cell metabolism, studies of healthy and diseased brain benefit from the specific binding of certain probes to pathology-specific features, ranging from amyloid-β plaques to the autofluorescence of certain antibiotics. A special focus is placed on functional in vivo imaging using two-photon probes that sense specific ions or membrane potential, and that may be combined with optogenetic actuators. Being closely linked to their use, we examine the different routes of intravital delivery of these fluorescent probes according to the target. Finally, we discuss different approaches, strategies, and prerequisites for two-photon multicolor experiments in the brains of living laboratory animals.

Visualization of vesicular transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosome using an amidine derived two-photon probe

An amidine-based small molecule two-photon fluorescent probe for monitoring vesicle transport from the ER to lysosome in live cells was reported.

Solvatochromic fluorene-linked nucleoside and DNA as color-changing fluorescent probes for sensing interactions

A nucleoside bearing a solvatochromic push-pull fluorene fluorophore (dCFL ) was designed and synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling of alkyne-linked fluorene 8 with 5-iodo-2'-deoxycytidine. The fluorene building block 8 and labeled nucleoside dCFL exerted bright fluorescence with significant solvatochromic effect providing emission maxima ranging from 421 to 544 nm and high quantum yields even in highly polar solvents, including water. The solvatochromism of 8 was studied by DFT and ADC(2) calculations to show that, depending on the polarity of the solvent, emission either from the planar or the twisted conformation of the excited state can occur. The nucleoside was converted to its triphosphate variant dCFLTP which was found to be a good substrate for DNA polymerases suitable for the enzymatic synthesis of oligonucleotide or DNA probes by primer extension or PCR. The fluorene-linked DNA can be used as fluorescent probes for DNA-protein (p53) or DNA-lipid interactions, exerting significant color changes visible even to the naked eye. They also appear to be suitable for time-dependent fluorescence shift studies on DNA, yielding information on DNA hydration and dynamics.

Nucleic acid-selective light-up fluorescent biosensors for ratiometric two-photon imaging of the viscosity of live cells and tissues

Rational design of specific ratiometric viscosity probes with small molecular weight is a challenge in practical biotechnology applications. Herein two novel water-soluble, small-molecular ratiometric probes, bearing N-methyl benzothiazolium moiety (DSF and DBF), are designed for two-photon fluorescent imaging as a functional of local viscosity. The dye DSF, a light-up fluorescent probe, is sensitive to local viscosity and selectively stains nuclear DNA, which can be used to inspect asynchronous cells under confocal microscopy. While the dye DBF as a molecular rotor displays strong fluorescence enhancement in viscous media or binding to RNA. It exhibits dual absorption and emission as well, and only the red emission is markedly sensitive to viscosity changes, providing a ratiometric response and selectively imaging nucleolic and cytosolic RNA. Interestingly it is shown, for the first time, that the intracellular targeting and localization (DNA and RNA) of the two dyes are entirely realized simply by modifying the substituent attached to the benzothiazolium.

A Lysosome-Targeting AIEgen for Autophagy Visualization

In this work, a morpholine-functionalized aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen), AIE-LysoY, is reported for lysosomal imaging and autophagy visualization. To attain outstanding imaging contrast, AIE-LysoY is equipped with excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) characteristic. AIE-LysoY provides a new platform for lysosome visualization with good biocompatibility, large Stokes shift, superior signal-to-noise ratio, and high photostability.

A ratiometric two-photon probe for quantitative imaging of mitochondrial pH values

Mitochondrial pH (pHmito) is known to be alkaline (near 8.0) and has emerged as a potential factor for mitochondrial function and disorder. We have developed a ratiometric two-photon probe (CMP1) for quantitative analysis of pHmito in live cells and tissues. This probe is designed to function by controlling the intramolecular charge transfer from 2-naphthol, having an ideal pKa value (7.86 ± 0.05) in the cells to monitor pHmito. This transition results in a marked yellow to red emission color change in response to pH alterations from 6.0 to 9.0. CMP1 exhibits easy loading, selective and robust staining ability of mitochondria, low cytotoxicity, and bright two-photon excited fluorescence in situ, thereby allowing quantitative imaging of the pHmito in live cells and tissues. The ratiometric TPM imaging clearly reveals that subcellular distribution of the pHmito values is heterogeneous, with the pHmito values in the perinuclear region being higher than those at the periphery of the cells. The changes of pHmito values on carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) treatment and autophagic processes were also investigated along with their morphological alterations at specific subcellular positions. We also used CMP1 to visualize the pHmito values of Parkinson's disease model astrocytes as well as living hippocampal tissues. Our results demonstrate that CMP1 will be useful as a quantitative imaging probe to study pHmito in biomedical research.

An emission-tunable fluorescent organic molecule for specific cellular imaging

A color-tunable fluorescent molecule was synthesized and applied in specific lysosomal imaging.

Measurement of the Nucleus Area and Nucleus/Cytoplasm and Mitochondria/Nucleus Ratios in Human Colon Tissues by Dual-Colour Two-Photon Microscopy Imaging

We developed two-photon (TP) probes for DNA (ABI-Nu), cytoplasm (Pyr-CT), and mitochondria (BF-MT). We found that ABI-Nu binds to AT in the minor groove, while ABI-Nu and BF-MT are effective for tracking in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, respectively. These probes showed very large effective two-photon action cross section values of 2230, 1555, and 790 Göppert-Mayer units (1 GM  =  10(-50) cm(4) s photon(-1) molecule(-1)) at 740 nm with emission maxima at 473, 561, and 560 nm, respectively, in each organelle. Using these probes, we quantitatively estimated the mean nuclear area and the ratios of nuclei to cytoplasm and mitochondria to nuclei in human colon tissues by dual-colour two-photon microscopy imaging within 2  h after biopsy. The mean nuclear area and the nuclei to cytoplasm and mitochondria to cytoplasm ratios increased in the following order: normal colon mucosa Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings

• Cell Nucleus/metabolism
• Colon/metabolism
• Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis
• Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism
• Cytoplasm/metabolism
• DNA/metabolism
• Diagnostic Imaging/methods
• Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry
• Fluorescent Dyes/metabolism
• HeLa Cells
• Humans
• Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton/methods
• Mitochondria/metabolism
• Molecular Structure
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Spectrometry, Fluorescence/methods

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Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Chang Su Lim Department of Chemistry, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea
Eun Sun Kim Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, 73 Inchon-ro, Seoul, 136-705, Korea
Ji Yeon Kim Department of Chemistry, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea
Seung Taek Hong KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea
Hoon Jai Chun Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, 73 Inchon-ro, Seoul, 136-705, Korea
Dong Eun Kang Department of Chemistry, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea
Bong Rae Cho Department of Chemistry, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea

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Indole-based cyanine as a nuclear RNA-selective two-photon fluorescent probe for live cell imaging

We have demonstrated that the subcellular targeting properties of the indole-based cyanines can be tuned by the functional substituent attached onto the indole moiety in which the first example of a highly RNA-selective and two-photon active fluorescent light-up probe for high contrast and brightness TPEF images of rRNA in the nucleolus of live cells has been developed. It is important to find that this cyanine binds much stronger toward RNA than DNA in a buffer solution as well as selectively stains and targets to rRNA in the nucleolus. Remarkably, the TPEF brightness (Φσmax) is dramatically increased with 11-fold enhancement in the presence of rRNA, leading to the record high Φσmax of 228 GM for RNA. This probe not only shows good biocompatibility and superior photostability but also offers general applicability to various live cell lines including HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7, and KB cells and excellent counterstaining compatibility with commercially available DNA or protein trackers.

A fluorescent indicator for imaging lysosomal zinc(II) with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-enhanced photostability and a narrow band of emission

We demonstrate a strategy to transfer the zinc(II) sensitivity of a fluoroionophore with low photostability and a broad emission band to a bright and photostable fluorophore with a narrow emission band. The two fluorophores are covalently connected to afford an intramolecular Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) conjugate. The FRET donor in the conjugate is a zinc(II)-sensitive arylvinylbipyridyl fluoroionophore, the absorption and emission of which undergo bathochromic shifts upon zinc(II) coordination. When the FRET donor is excited, efficient intramolecular energy transfer occurs to result in the emission of the acceptor boron dipyrromethene (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene or BODIPY) as a function of zinc(II) concentration. The broad emission band of the donor/zinc(II) complex is transformed into the strong, narrow emission band of the BODIPY acceptor in the FRET conjugates, which can be captured within the narrow emission window that is preferred for multicolor imaging experiments. In addition to competing with other nonradiative decay processes of the FRET donor, the rapid intramolecular FRET of the excited FRET-conjugate molecule protects the donor fluorophore from photobleaching, thus enhancing the photostability of the indicator. FRET conjugates 3 and 4 contain aliphatic amino groups, which selectively target lysosomes in mammalian cells. This subcellular localization preference was verified by using confocal fluorescence microscopy, which also shows the zinc(II)-enhanced emission of 3 and 4 in lysosomes. It was further shown using two-color structured illumination microscopy (SIM), which is capable of extending the lateral resolution over the Abbe diffraction limit by a factor of two, that the morpholino-functionalized compound 4 localizes in the interior of lysosomes, rather than anchoring on the lysosomal membranes, of live HeLa cells.

Real-time monitoring of the mitophagy process by a photostable fluorescent mitochondrion-specific bioprobe with AIE characteristics

A tetraphenylethene-based AIE bioprobe is developed for mitochondrial imaging. The probe shows high brightness, tolerance to environmental changes and photostability, making it promising for monitoring of mitophagy process.

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.

A Fluorescent Indicator for Imaging Lysosomal Zinc(II) with Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-Enhanced Photostability and a Narrow Band of Emission

We demonstrate a strategy to transfer the zinc(II) sensitivity of a fluoroionophore with low photostability and a broad emission band to a bright and photostable fluorophore with a narrow emission band. The two fluorophores are covalently connected to afford an intramolecular Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) conjugate. The FRET donor in the conjugate is a zinc(II)-sensitive arylvinylbipyridyl fluoroionophore, the absorption and emission of which undergo bathochromic shifts upon zinc(II) coordination. When the FRET donor is excited, efficient intramolecular energy transfer occurs to result in the emission of the acceptor boron dipyrromethene (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene or BODIPY) as a function of zinc(II) concentration. The broad emission band of the donor/zinc(II) complex is transformed into the strong, narrow emission band of the BODIPY acceptor in the FRET conjugates, which can be captured within the narrow emission window that is preferred for multicolor imaging experiments. In addition to competing with other nonradiative decay processes of the FRET donor, the rapid intramolecular FRET of the excited FRET-conjugate molecule protects the donor fluorophore from photobleaching, thus enhancing the photostability of the indicator. FRET conjugates 3 and 4 contain aliphatic amino groups, which selectively target lysosomes in mammalian cells. This subcellular localization preference was verified by using confocal fluorescence microscopy, which also shows the zinc(II)-enhanced emission of 3 and 4 in lysosomes. It was further shown using two-color structured illumination microscopy (SIM), which is capable of extending the lateral resolution over the Abbe diffraction limit by a factor of two, that the morpholino-functionalized compound 4 localizes in the interior of lysosomes, rather than anchoring on the lysosomal membranes, of live HeLa cells.

Multiphoton excited fluorescent materials for frequency upconversion emission and fluorescent probes

Recent progress in developing various strategies for exploiting efficient MPA fluorophores for two emerging technological MPA applications including frequency upconversion photoluminescence and lasing as well as 2PA fluorescence bioimaging and biosensing are presented. An intriguing application of MPA frequency-upconverted lasing offers opportunity for the fabrication of high-energy coherent light sources in the blue region which could create new advantages and breakthroughs in various laser-based applications. In addition, multiphoton excitation has led to considerable progress in the development of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic treatments; further advancement is anticipated with the emergence of various versatile 2PA fluorescence probes. It is widely appreciated that the two-photon excitation offers significant advantages for the biological fluorescence imaging and sensing which includes higher spatial resolution, less photobleaching and photodamage as well as deeper tissue penetration as compared to the one-photon excited microscopy. To be practically useful, the 2PA fluorescent probes for biological applications are required to have a site-specificity, a high fluorescence quantum yield, proper two-photon excitation and subsequent emission wavelengths, good photodecomposition stability, water solubility, and biocompatibility besides large 2PA action cross-sections.

Dual-color imaging of cytosolic and mitochondrial zinc ions in live tissues with two-photon fluorescent probes

We report two-photon probes for Zn(2+) ions that can simultaneously detect cytosolic and mitochondrial Zn(2+) ions in live cells and living tissues at 115 mm depth by dual-color TPM imaging with minimum interference from other biologically relevant species.

Zn(II)-coordination modulated ligand photophysical processes - the development of fluorescent indicators for imaging biological Zn(II) ions

Molecular photophysics and metal coordination chemistry are the two fundamental pillars that support the development of fluorescent cation indicators. In this article, we describe how Zn(II)-coordination alters various ligand-centered photophysical processes that are pertinent to developing Zn(II) indicators. The main aim is to show how small organic Zn(II) indicators work under the constraints of specific requirements, including Zn(II) detection range, photophysical requirements such as excitation energy and emission color, temporal and spatial resolutions in a heterogeneous intracellular environment, and fluorescence response selectivity between similar cations such as Zn(II) and Cd(II). In the last section, the biological questions that fluorescent Zn(II) indicators help to answer are described, which have been motivating and challenging this field of research.

Quinoline-based two-photon fluorescent probe for nitric oxide in live cells and tissues

A two-photon fluorescent probe (QNO) for nitric oxide is reported. The probe is designed with a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) mechanism and shows 12-fold fluorescence enhancement toward NO. Adopting a quinoline derivative as the fluorophore, QNO has a large two-photon action cross section value of 52 GM and long-wavelength emission. It also features high selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and pH insensitivity. By utilizing two-photon microscopy (TPM), QNO can detect NO in live cells and live tissues at a depth of 90-180 μm.

Two-photon probes for biomedical applications

Two-photon microscopy (TPM), which uses two photons of lower energy as the excitation source, is a vital tool in biology and clinical science, due to its capacity to image deep inside intact tissues for a long period of time. To make TPM a more versatile tool in biomedical research, we have developed a variety of two-photon probes for specific applications. In this mini review, we will briefly discuss two-photon probes for lipid rafts, lysosomes, mitochondria, and pH, and their biomedical applications. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(4): 188-194]