A mitochondria targeting Mn nanoassembly of BODIPY for LDH-A, mitochondria modulated therapy and bimodal imaging of cancer

BODIPYS and aza-BODIPY derivatives as promising fluorophores for in vivo molecular imaging and theranostic applications

Since their discovery in 1968, the BODIPYs dyes (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a, 4a diaza-s-indacene) have found an exponentially increasing number of applications in a large variety of scientific fields. In particular, studies reporting bioapplications of BODIPYs have increased dramatically. However, most of the time, only in vitro investigations have been reported. The in vivo potential of BODIPYs and aza-BODIPYs is more recent, but considering the number of in vivo studies with BODIPY and aza-BODIPY which have been reported in the last five years, we can now affirm that this family of fluorophores can be considered important as cyanine dyes for future in vivo and even clinical applications. This review aims to present representative examples of recent in vivo applications of BODIPYs or aza-BODIPYs, and to highlight the potential of these dyes for optical molecular imaging.

A NIR-BODIPY derivative for sensing copper(II) in blood and mitochondrial imaging

In order to develop NIR BODIPY for mitochondria targeting imaging agents and metal sensors, a side chain modified BODIPY (BPN) was synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. BPN has NIR emission at 765nm when excited at 704nm. The emission at 765nm responded differently to Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions, respectively. The BPN coordinated with Cu²⁺ forming [BPNCu]²⁺ complex with quenched emission, while Mn²⁺ induced aggregation of BPN with specific fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, BPN can be applied to monitor Cu²⁺ in live cells and image mitochondria. Further, BPN was used as sensor for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions in serum with linear detection range of 0.45μM-36.30μM. Results indicate that BPN is a good sensor for the detection of Cu²⁺ in serum and image mitochondria. This study gives strategies for future design of NIR sensors for the analysis of metal ions in blood.

Characterization, catalyzed water oxidation and anticancer activities of a NIR BODIPY-Mn polymer

To obtain near-IR absorbing biomaterials as fluorescence cellular imaging and anticancer agents for hypoxic cancer cell, a nano NIR fluorescence Mn(III/IV) polymer (PMnD) was spectroscopically characterized. The PMnD shows strong emission at 661nm when excited with 643nm. Furthermore, PMnD can catalyze water oxidation to generate dioxygen when irradiated by red LED light (10W). In particular, the PMnD can enter into HepG-2 cells and mitochondria. Both anticancer activity and the inhibition of the expression of HIF-1α for PMnD were concentration dependent. Our results demonstrate that PMnD can be developed as mitochondria targeted imaging agents and new inhibitors for HIF-1 in hypoxic cancer cells.