A highly sensitive probe detecting low pH area of HeLa cells based on rhodamine B modified β-cyclodextrins

Robust Inclusion Complex of Topotecan Comprised within a Rhodamine-Labeled β-Cyclodextrin: Competing Proton and Energy Transfer Processes

Monitoring the biological fate of medicaments within the environments of cancer cells is an important challenge which is nowadays the object of intensive studies. In this regard, rhodamine-based supramolecular systems are one of the most suitable probes used in drug delivery thanks to their high emission quantum yield and sensitivity to the environment which helps to track the medicament in real time. In this work, we used steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy techniques to investigate the dynamics of the anticancer drug, topotecan (TPT), in water (pH ~6.2) in the presence of a rhodamine-labeled methylated β-cyclodextrin (RB-RM-βCD). A stable complex of 1:1 stoichiometry is formed with a K_eq value of ~4 × 10⁴ M^-1 at room temperature. The fluorescence signal of the caged TPT is reduced due to: (1) the CD confinement effect; and (2) a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process from the trapped drug to the RB-RM-βCD occurring in ~43 ps with 40% efficiency. These findings provide additional knowledge about the spectroscopic and photodynamic interactions between drugs and fluorescent functionalized CDs, and may lead to the design of new fluorescent CD-based host-guest nanosystems with efficient FRET to be used in bioimaging for drug delivery monitoring.

Insights into recent preclinical studies on labelled cyclodextrin-based imaging probes: towards a novel oncological era

As malignancies remain one of the major health concerns worldwide, increasing focus has been centered around the application of cyclodextrins (CDs) in cancer imaging and therapy due to their outstanding inclusion forming capability. Albeit the physicochemical properties of CDs were intensively elucidated, the spread of their clinical application is limited by the relative paucity of knowledge about their pharmacokinetic profile, especially biodistribution. Studies applying fluorescently- CDs, or CD-based MRI contrast agents revealed much about pharmacokinetics and diagnostic applications; however, derivatives labelled with positron emitters seem superior molecular probes in the investigation of the route of CDs in biological niche. In vivo imaging based on preclinical tumor-bearing model systems are well-suited to evaluate the whole-body distribution of the two most frequently assessed CDs: randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). Exploiting the firm signaling interaction between cancer-related cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and RAS oncoprotein, radioconjugated, PGE2-affine CDs project the establishment of novel imaging probes and therapeutic agents. Currently, we provide an overview of the preclinical studies on CD pharmacokinetics highlighting the significance of the integration of translational discoveries into human patient care.

A Self-locked β-Cyclodextrin-rhodamine B Spirolactam with Photoswitching Properties

Supramolecular organization and self-assembly are the pillars of functionality of many nanosystems. The covalent conjugate (6-spirolactam rhodamine B-6-monodeoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (Rho-βCD) is assembled as a self-included, rigid nanostructure, identical in the crystal and in aqueous solution, as revealed by detailed X-ray and NMR analyses. Rho-βCD self-assembly is the result of an interesting reaction pathway, which partially de-aggregates Rho and disturbs the zwitterion↔spirolactone equilibrium. Rho-βCD is stable at pH 4.6, but displays controllable photoswitching between the colored, fluorescent, zwitterionic and the colorless, non-fluorescent closed structures, during several iterative cycles. After an initial drop in absorbance, the on-off process continues without further changes under our irradiation conditions, a consequence of the specific self-locked arrangement of Rho in the cavity. Rho-βCD exemplifies a water soluble photoresponsive nanosystem with improved photostability suggesting promising applications in super resolution bioimaging.

Photocross-Linked Antimicrobial Amino-Siloxane Elastomers

Mechanically robust bulk antimicrobial polymers are one way to address disease transmission via contaminated surfaces. Here, we demonstrate the visible light photo-oxidative cross-linking of amine-containing PDMS using a single-component, solvent-free system where amines have a dual role as antimicrobial functionalities and cross-linking sites. Rose Bengal, a xanthene dye used as a fluorescent stain, is thermally reacted with the polymer to give a solvent-free liquid siloxane that can generate reactive singlet oxygen upon aerobic green light irradiation, coupling the amine functionalities into imine cross-links. Photorheological experiments demonstrate that light intensity is the largest kinetic factor in the photo-oxidative curing of these polymers. Room temperature irradiation under an ambient atmosphere results in free-standing elastic materials with mechanical properties that depend on the amount of Rose Bengal present. An ultimate elongation strain of 117% and Young's modulus of 2.15 MPa were observed for the highest dye loading, with both mechanical properties found to be higher than those for the same solution-based dye amounts. We demonstrate that the solvent-free nature of the material can be exploited to generate 3D structures using low-temperature deposition as well as direct-write patterning and photolithography on glass substrates. The antimicrobial activity was investigated, with the cross-linked material demonstrating greater efficacy against E. coli (Gram negative) compared with MRSA (Gram positive) bacterial strains and inducing complete cell lysis of incubated CHO-K1 mammalian cells, demonstrating applicability as a mechanically robust single-component antimicrobial elastomer.

A highly selective pH switchable colorimetric fluorescent rhodamine functionalized azo-phenol derivative for thorium recognition up to nano molar level in semi-aqueous media: Implication towards multiple logic gates

A new rhodamine functionalized Schiff base (3',6'-bis(diethylamino)-2-((Z)-(5-((E)-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)-2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene) amino)spiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one (1) has been synthesized and was characterized spectroscopically. The optical properties of the schiff base have been studied using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. Schiff base 1 displayed a selective behaviour towards Th⁴⁺ ions, as evidenced by UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. It shows visible colour change from orangish-yellow to red upon addition of Th⁴⁺ ions. A strong new emission band at 586 nm and about 24-fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity was observed upon binding with Th⁴⁺ which could be quenched by subsequent addition of oxalate and chromate ions. Probe 1 also acts as a reversible pH sensor in the highly acidic region (pH < 4, pK_{a =} 2.01) via the photophysical response to pH as well as visible detectable colour change from orangish-yellow to red to pink. The absorbance and emission intensities of 1 diminished in the pH region from 4 to 11.5 and could be recovered by adding acid to adjust the pH < 4. Probe 1 exhibited high binding constant (8.595 × 10⁶ M^-1) and low limit of detection (1.122 × 10^-9) compared to most previously reported sensors for Th⁴⁺ ions. Furthermore, two multiple logic gates i.e. 3 and 5 input, have been constructed.

Fluorescent Probes Based on π-Conjugation Modulation between Hemicyanine and Coumarin Moieties for Ratiometric Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells with Visible and Near-infrared Channels

We report two ratiometric fluorescent probes based on π-conjugation modulation between coumarin and hemicyanine moieties for sensitive ratiometric detection of pH alterations in live cells by monitoring visible and near-infrared fluorescence changes. In a π-conjugation modulation strategy, a coumarin dye was conjugated to a near-infrared hemicyanine dye via a vinyl connection while lysosome-targeting morpholine ligand and o-phenylenediamine residue were introduced to the hemicyanine dye to form closed spirolactam ring structures in probes A and B, respectively. The probes show only visible fluorescence of the coumarin moiety under physiological and basic conditions because the hemicyanine moieties retain their closed spirolactam ring structures. However, decrease of pH to acidic condition causes spirolactam ring opening, and significantly enhances π-conjugation within the probes, thus generating new near-infrared fluorescence peaks of the hemicyanine at 755 nm and 740 nm for probes A and B, respectively. Moreover, the probes display ratiometric fluorescence response to pH with decreases of the coumarin fluorescence and increases of the hemicyanine fluorescence when pH changes from 7.4 to 2.5. The probes are fully capable of imaging pH changes in live cells with good ratiometric responses in visible and near-infrared channels, and effectively avoid fluorescence blind spots under neutral and basic pH conditions - an issue that typical intensity-based pH fluorescent probes run into. The probe design platform reported herein can be easily applied to prepare a variety of ratiometric fluorescent probes for detection of biological thiols, metal ions, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by introducing appropriate functional groups to hemicyanine moiety.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of rhodamine derivatives

The microwave synthesis of 12 rhodamine-derived imines is described. The present work involves condensation of rhodamine hydrazide with various aromatic aldehydes in ethanol under microwave irradiation. The results obtained indicate that, unlike classical heating, microwave irradiation results in higher yields, shorter reaction time, mild reaction condition and simple work-up procedure. The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR and high-resolution mass spectra data.

Fluorescent Probes for Sensitive and Selective Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells in Visible and Near-infrared Channels

We report five fluorescent probes based on coumarin-hybridized fluorescent dyes with spirolactam ring structures (A-E) to detect pH changes in live cell by monitoring visible and near-infrared fluorescence changes. Under physiological or basic conditions, the fluorescent probes A, B, C, D and E preserve their spirolactam ring-closed forms and only display fluorescent peaks in the visible region corresponding to coumarin moieties at 497, 483, 498, 497 and 482 nm, respectively. However, at acidic pH, the rings of the spirolactam forms of the fluorescent probes A, B, C, D and E open up, generating new near-infrared fluorescence peaks at 711, 696, 707, 715, and 697 nm, respectively, through significantly extended π-conjugation to coumarin moieties of the fluorophores. The fluorescent probes B and E can be applied to visualize pH changes by monitoring visible as well as near-infrared fluorescence changes. This helps avoid fluorescence imaging blind spots at neutral or basic pH, which typical pH fluorescent probes encounter. The probes exhibit high sensitivity to pH changes, excellent photostability, low auto-fluorescence background and good cell membrane permeability.

Luminescent Probes for Sensitive Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells through Two Near-Infrared Luminescence Channels

Two water-soluble near-infrared luminescent probes, which possess both conventional intense Stokes fluorescence and unique single-photon frequency upconversion luminescence (FUCL), were developed for sensitive and selective detection of pH changes in live cells. The water solubility and biocompatibility of these probes were achieved by introducing mannose residues through 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)diethylamine tethered spacers to a near-infrared conventional fluorescence (CF) and FUCL organic fluorophore. At a pH higher than 7.4, the probes have ring-closed spirocyclic lactam structures, thus are colorless and nonfluorescent. Nevertheless, they sensitively respond to acidic pH values, with a drastic structural change to ring-opened spirocyclic lactam forms, which cause significant absorbance increases at 714 nm. Correspondingly, their near-infrared CF and FUCL intensities at 740 nm are also significantly enhanced when excited by 690 and 808 nm, respectively. The probes hold a variety of advantages such as high sensitivity, excellent reversibility and selectivity to pH over metal ions, low cellular autofluorescence background interference, good cell membrane permeability and photostability, as well as low cytotoxicity. Our results have successfully proven that these probes can visualize intracellular lysosomal pH changes in live cells by monitoring both near-infrared CF and FUCL changes.

Imaging Lysosomal pH Alteration in Stressed Cells with a Sensitive Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensor

The organelle-specific pH is crucial for cell homeostasis. Aberrant pH of lysosomes has been manifested in myriad diseases. To probe lysosome responses to cell stress, we herein report the detection of lysosomal pH changes with a dual colored probe (CM-ROX), featuring a coumarin domain with "always-on" blue fluorescence and a rhodamine-lactam domain activatable to lysosomal acidity to give red fluorescence. With sensitive ratiometric signals upon subtle pH changes, CM-ROX enables discernment of lysosomal pH changes in cells undergoing autophagy, cell death, and viral infection.

Responsive hetero-organelle partition conferred fluorogenic sensing of mitochondrial depolarization

Malfunctioning organelles are often difficult to probe with classical organelle-homing sensors owing to disruption of physiological organelle-probe affinity. We herein report the use of a responsive hetero-organelle partition and signal activable probe (RC-TPP) for detecting mitochondrial depolarization, a pathologically relevant event featuring loss of the electrical potentials across the mitochondrial membrane (ΔΨm). Partitioned in mitochondria to give blue fluorescence, RC-TPP relocates into lysosomes upon mitochondrial depolarization and exhibits red fluorescence triggered by lysosomal acidity, enabling determination of autophagy relevant mitochondrial depolarization and the chronological sequence of mitochondrial depolarization and lysosomal neutralization in distinct cell death signalling pathways. As an alternative to classic homo-organelle specific molecular systems, this hetero-organelle responsive approach provides a new perspective from which to study dysfunctional organelles.

Surface patterned pH-sensitive fluorescence using β-cyclodextrin functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)

This paper reports the development of a pH-responsive molecular pattern that shows specific and selective affinity for particular host-guest interactions, and its use as a pH fluorescent sensor. The pH-responsive boronate ester is formed via interactions between the diol group of β-cyclodextrin (CD) and phenylboronic acid of poly(ethylene glycol), and is strategically designed to allow reversible formation of a molecular lining pattern. Printing on a versatile substrate provides a method to monitor the positioning of different molecules by using a pH-responsive boronate ester, allowing specific host-guest interactions on any surface. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and (1)H NMR results indicate that the assembled CD monolayer can be removed by washing with an acidic pH buffer, demonstrating the presence of a boronate ester connective bridge, which is acid labile. Therefore, visualization of the pH-responsive fluorescence sensor using a rhodamine-CD complex allows straightforward discrimination between different molecules on any substrate, thus facilitating application of this sensor in clinical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

New synthetic strategies for xanthene-dye-appended cyclodextrins

Xanthene dyes can be appended to cyclodextrins via an ester or amide bridge in order to switch the fluorescence on or off. This is made possible through the formation of nonfluorescent lactones or lactams as the fluorophore can reversibly cyclize. In this context we report a green approach for the synthesis of switchable xanthene-dye-appended cyclodextrins based on the coupling agent 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMT-MM). By using 6-monoamino-β-cyclodextrin and commercially available inexpensive dyes, we prepared rhodamine- and fluorescein-appended cyclodextrins. The compounds were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry, their UV-vis spectra were recorded at various pH, and their purity was determined by capillary electrophoresis. Two potential models for the supramolecular assembly of the xanthene-dye-appended cyclodextrins were developed based on the set of data collected by the extensive NMR characterization.

A novel NBD-based pH “on–off” fluorescent probe equipped with the N-phenylpiperazine group for lysosome imaging

A novel PET-based fluorescent probe (LN6) targeting to lysosome was found from the synthesized NBD derivatives.

Nanoparticle-based luminescent probes for intracellular sensing and imaging of pH

Fluorescence imaging microscopy is an essential tool in biomedical research. Meanwhile, various fluorescent probes are available for the staining of cells, cell membranes, and organelles. Though, to monitor intracellular processes and dysfunctions, probes that respond to ubiquitous chemical parameters determining the cellular function such as pH, pO2 , and Ca(2+) are required. This review is focused on the progress in the design, fabrication, and application of photoluminescent nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of pH in living cells. The advantages of using nanoprobes carrying fluorescent pH indicators compared to single molecule probes are discussed as well as their limitations due to the mostly lysosomal uptake by cells. Particular attention is paid to ratiometric dual wavelength nanosensors that enable intrinsic referenced measurements. Referencing and proper calibration procedures are basic prerequisites to carry out reliable quantitative pH determinations in complex samples such as living cells. A variety of examples will be presented that highlight the diverseness of nanocarrier materials (polymers, micelles, silica, quantum dots, carbon dots, gold, photon upconversion nanocrystals, or bacteriophages), fluorescent pH indicators for the weak acidic range, and referenced sensing mechanisms, that have been applied intracellularly up to now. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:378-413. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1366 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Near-infrared fluorescent probes based on piperazine-functionalized BODIPY dyes for sensitive detection of lysosomal pH

Three acidotropic, near-infrared fluorescent probes based on piperazine-modified BODIPY dyes (A, B and C) have been developed for the sensitive and selective detection of lysosomal pH in living cells. Probes A and B display low solubilities in aqueous solutions, whereas probe C is highly water-soluble. The fluorescent responsive mechanism of these probes to lysosomal pH is based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and potential photo-induced electron transfer from piperazine moieties at 3,5-positions to BODIPY cores in the near-infrared region. The sensitivity and selectivity of the probes to pH over metal ions have been investigated by spectroscopic analysis in aqueous solutions. The probes have low auto-fluorescence at physiological pH conditions, whereas their fluorescence intensities significantly increase when pH is shifted to an acidic condition. Furthermore, these three probes were successfully applied to the in vitro lysosome imaging inside normal endothelial and breast cancer cells.

A new fluorescent pH probe for acidic conditions

A new fluorescent probe based on imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine probe for low pH was synthesized and characterized.

Supramolecular assemblies constructed from β-cyclodextrin-modified montmorillonite nanosheets as carriers for 5-fluorouracil

5-Fluorouracil-loaded supramolecular assemblies formed from self-assembling β-cyclodextrin modified montmorillonite nanosheets exhibit better antitumor activity and lower cytotoxicity in vitro.

Synthetic strategies for the fluorescent labeling of epichlorohydrin-branched cyclodextrin polymers

The fluorescent tagging of cyclodextrin derivatives enlarges their spectroscopic properties thus generating chemosensors, biological tools for visualization and sophisticated photoresponsive devices. Cyclodextrin polymers, due to the cooperative interactions, exhibit additional properties compared to their monomeric counterpart. These macromolecules can be prepared either in well water-soluble form or as gels of high swelling. Two versatile synthetic strategies for introducing a fluorescent tag (rhodamine, fluorescein, nitrobenzofuran or coumarin) into the water-soluble epichlorohydrin branched cyclodextrin polymers were worked out and compared. The fluorescent labeling was realized in three steps: 1) building in azido moieties, 2) transforming the azido groups into amino groups and 3) coupling the proper fluorescent compound to the amino groups. The other strategy started by functionalization of the monomer prior to the branching. Either the fluorescent-labeled monomer or the intermediate azido derivative of the monomer was branched. Further tuning of the properties of the polymer was achieved via branching of the methylated cyclodextrin derivative. The key intermediates and the fluorescent final products were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and capillary electrophoresis. The applied synthetic routes were evaluated based on the molecular weight, cyclodextrin content of the products and the efficiency of labeling.

A targetable acid-responsive micellar system for signal activation based high performance surgical resolution of tumors

High-performance illumination of subcutaneous tumor and liver tumor foci at sub-millimeter levels was achieved with lectin-targeted glyco-micelles which become fluorescent upon internalization into tumor lysosomes.

pH-activatable near-infrared fluorescent probes for detection of lysosomal pH inside living cells

Four near-infrared fluorescent probes have been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for detection of lysosomal pH inside living cells.