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Shang B, Yu Z, Wang Z. Recent advances and applications of nitroreductase activable agents for tumor theranostic. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1451517. [PMID: 39101150 PMCID: PMC11294179 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1451517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitroreductase activable agents offer a personalized and targeted approach to cancer theranostics by selectively activating prodrugs within the tumor microenvironment. These agents enable non-invasive tumor imaging, image-guided drug delivery, and real-time treatment monitoring. By leveraging the enzymatic action of tumor-specific nitroreductase enzymes, cytotoxic drugs are delivered directly to cancer cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review highlights the key features, mechanisms of action, diagnostic applications, therapeutic potentials, and future directions of nitroreductase activable agents for tumor theranostics. Integration with imaging modalities, advanced drug delivery systems, immunotherapy combinations, and theranostic biomarkers shows promise for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving patient survival in oncology. Continued research and innovation in this field are crucial for advancing novel theranostic strategies and enhancing patient care. Nitroreductase activable agents represent a promising avenue for personalized cancer therapy and have the potential to transform cancer diagnosis and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoxin Shang
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zongjiang Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhengdan Wang
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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2
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Zhi S, Huang M, Cheng K. Enzyme-responsive design combined with photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103965. [PMID: 38552778 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive cancer treatment that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, its application is still hampered by certain limitations, such as the hydrophobicity and low targeting of photosensitizers (PSs) and the hypoxia of the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, the fusion of enzyme-responsive drugs with PDT offers novel solutions to overcome these challenges. Utilizing the attributes of enzyme-responsive drugs, PDT can deliver PSs to the target site and selectively release them, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we spotlight recent advances in enzyme-responsive materials for cancer treatment and primarily delineate their application in combination with PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Zhi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Meixin Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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3
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Yu X, Huang Y, Tao Y, Fan L, Zhang Y. Mitochondria-targetable small molecule fluorescent probes for the detection of cancer-associated biomarkers: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1289:342060. [PMID: 38245195 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.342060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Cancer represents a global threat to human health, and effective strategies for improved cancer early diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed. The detection of tumor biomarkers has been one of the important auxiliary means for tumor screening and diagnosis. Mitochondria are crucial subcellular organelles that produce most chemical energy used by cells, control metabolic processes, and maintain cell function. Evidence suggests the close involvement of mitochondria with cancer development. As a consequence, the identification of cancer-associated biomarker expression levels in mitochondria holds significant importance in the diagnosis of early-stage diseases and the monitoring of therapy efficacy. Small-molecule fluorescent probes are effective for the identification and visualization of bioactive entities within biological systems, owing to their heightened sensitivity, expeditious non-invasive analysis and real-time detection capacities. The design principles and sensing mechanisms of mitochondrial targeted fluorescent probes are summarized in this review. Additionally, the biomedical applications of these probes for detecting cancer-associated biomarkers are highlighted. The limitations and challenges of fluorescent probes in vivo are also considered and some future perspectives are provided. This review is expected to provide valuable insights for the future development of novel fluorescent probes for clinical imaging, thereby contributing to the advancement of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yu
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin, 132022, PR China
| | - Yunong Huang
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin, 132022, PR China
| | - Yunqi Tao
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin, 132022, PR China
| | - Li Fan
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, PR China.
| | - Yuewei Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin, 132022, PR China.
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4
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Han F, Abbas Abedi SA, He S, Zhang H, Long S, Zhou X, Chanmungkalakul S, Ma H, Sun W, Liu X, Du J, Fan J, Peng X. Aryl-Modified Pentamethyl Cyanine Dyes at the C2' Position: A Tunable Platform for Activatable Photosensitizers. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305761. [PMID: 38063803 PMCID: PMC10870032 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Pentamethyl cyanine dyes are promising fluorophores for fluorescence sensing and imaging. However, advanced biomedical applications require enhanced control of their excited-state properties. Herein, a synthetic approach for attaching aryl substituents at the C2' position of the thio-pentamethine cyanine (TCy5) dye structure is reported for the first time. C2'-aryl substitution enables the regulation of both the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms to be regulated in the excited state. Modulation of these mechanisms allows the design of a nitroreductase-activatable TCy5 fluorophore for hypoxic tumor photodynamic therapy and fluorescence imaging. These C2'-aryl TCy5 dyes provide a tunable platform for engineering cyanine dyes tailored to sophisticated biological applications, such as photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
| | - Syed Ali Abbas Abedi
- Fluorescence Research GroupSingapore University of Technology and DesignSingapore487372Singapore
| | - Shan He
- Department of ChemistryHong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced StudyThe Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyClear Water BayKowloonHong KongChina
| | - Han Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
| | - Saran Long
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
| | | | - He Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of TechnologyDalian University of Technology26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei DistrictNingbo315016China
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Fluorescence Research GroupSingapore University of Technology and DesignSingapore487372Singapore
| | - Jianjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of TechnologyDalian University of Technology26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei DistrictNingbo315016China
| | - Jiangli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of TechnologyDalian University of Technology26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei DistrictNingbo315016China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsFrontiers Science Center for Smart MaterialsDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024China
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Zhang R, Yu J, Guo Z, Jiang H, Wang C. Camptothecin-based prodrug nanomedicines for cancer therapy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:17658-17697. [PMID: 37909755 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04147f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT) is a cytotoxic alkaloid that attenuates the replication of cancer cells via blocking DNA topoisomerase 1. Despite its encouraging and wide-spectrum antitumour activity, its application is significantly restricted owing to its instability, low solubility, significant toxicity, and acquired tumour cell resistance. This has resulted in the development of many CPT-based therapeutic agents, especially CPT-based nanomedicines, with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Specifically, smart CPT-based prodrug nanomedicines with stimuli-responsive release capacity have been extensively explored owing to the advantages such as high drug loading, improved stability, and decreased potential toxicity caused by the carrier materials in comparison with normal nanodrugs and traditional delivery systems. In this review, the potential strategies and applications of CPT-based nanoprodrugs for enhanced CPT delivery toward cancer cells are summarized. We appraise in detail the chemical structures and release mechanisms of these nanoprodrugs and guide materials chemists to develop more powerful nanomedicines that have real clinical therapeutic capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Jing Yu
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhu Guo
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
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Liu Y, Li J, Huang H, Shu Y. A fluorescent probe for imaging nitroreductase with signal amplification in high-viscosity environments. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:9509-9515. [PMID: 37740378 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01760e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we developed a fluorescent probe ENBT for in vitro detection of nitroreductase (NTR) as well as imaging intracellular NTR. ENBT itself is non-fluorescent and it could be catalyzed by NTR to generate a viscosity-sensitive fluorophore EBT. The fluorescence intensity of EBT could be further enhanced in cancer cells with relatively high viscosity due to the inhibition of the twisted intramolecular charge transfer effect. The probe ENBT has a good response to NTR with a detection limit of 36.8 ng mL-1, and EBT has a good response to viscosity. Furthermore, different concentrations of NTR (0-1.4 μg mL-1) were used to react with the probe and the reaction systems were subjected to different viscosity solutions, and the fluorescence signals of the products in the viscosity range of 45.86-163.60 cP were increased up to 1.69-fold. ENBT was successfully used to image NTR in cells under different hypoxic conditions as well as in Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, lipopolysaccharide was added to stimulate an increase in cellular viscosity after ENBT was catalyzed by intracellular NTR into EBT, and the fluorescence signals were observed to increase by 1.72-fold. The signal amplification capability gives ENBT higher sensitivity and immunity to interference. Moreover, it has the advantages of mitochondrial targeting, large Stokes shift (190 nm), high selectivity, and can be easily synthesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfan Liu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
| | - Jiaying Li
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
| | - Hongjin Huang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
| | - Yang Shu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
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Chen SX, Zhang J, Xue F, Liu W, Kuang Y, Gu B, Song S, Chen H. In situ forming oxygen/ROS-responsive niche-like hydrogel enabling gelation-triggered chemotherapy and inhibition of metastasis. Bioact Mater 2023; 21:86-96. [PMID: 36093330 PMCID: PMC9417960 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the development of the diverse hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) has made great progresses in the last several decades, current cancer therapy based on HAPs still suffers many obstacles, e.g., poor therapeutic outcome owing to hard deep reaching to hypoxic region, and the occurrence of metastasis due to hypoxia. Inspired by engineered niches, a novel functional chitosan polymer (CS-FTP) is synthesized for construction of a hydrogel-based bio-niche (CS-FTP-gel) in aiming at remodeling tumor hypoxic microenvironment. The CS-FTP polymers are crosslinked to form a niche-like hydrogel via enzyme-mediated oxygen-consumable dimerization after injected into tumor, in which a HAP (i.e., AQ4N) could be physically encapsulated, resulting in enhanced tumor hypoxia to facilitate AQ4N-AQ4 toxic transformation for maximizing efficacy of chemotherapy. Furthermore, Pazopanib (PAZ) conjugated onto the CS backbone via ROS-sensitive linker undergoes a stimuli-responsive release behavior to promote antiangiogenesis for tumor starvation, eventually contributing to the inhibition of lung metastasis and synergistic action with AQ4N-based chemotherapy for an orthotopic 4T1 breast tumor model. This study provides a promising strategy for hypoxia-based chemotherapy and demonstrates an encouraging clinical potential for multifunctional hydrogel applicable for antitumor treatment. CS-FTP shows enzyme-mediated hypoxia-inducible gelation and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive drug release. CS-FTP gel formed intratumorally can be used as a bio-niche to enhance tumor hypoxic microenvironment. In vivo PET/CT directly monitors the tumor hypoxia changes and confirm the ability of CS-FTP to enhance tumor hypoxia. Oxygen-consumable gelation of ROS-responsive CS-FTP triggers chemotherapy and starvation therapy for antimetastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Xiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, PR China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Fengfeng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, PR China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Yichen Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, PR China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Bingxin Gu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Shaoli Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Hangrong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, PR China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.,School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sub-lane Xiangshan Road 1, Hangzhou, 310024, PR China
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8
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Zhang L, Zhang L, Zhang X, Liu P, Wang Y, Han X, Chen L. Fluorescent imaging to provide visualized evidences for mercury induced hypoxia stress. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 444:130374. [PMID: 36399820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As one typical toxic and dangerous heavy metal, mercury brings incalculable hazards to the environment and human, the mechanism at the molecular level is unclear. There is no visualized evidence to support directly that mercury ions (Hg2+) exposure may induce secondary stress, which is associated with the risk of hypoxia microenvironment in biological systems. Hypoxia occurs in many physiological and pathophysiological processes in the living system, accompanying overexpression of various biomarkers, such as nitroreductase (NTR). Hence, we had successfully developed two NTR-selective fluorescent probes with excellent performance for evaluating the hypoxia degree in vivo and in vitro. We visualized and qualitatively monitored the fluctuations of the endogenous NTR levels in living cells and zebrafish. The imaging results exhibited that different doses of Hg2+ exposure elevated the NTR levels and the same trend in changes of NTR as extrinsic hypoxia exposure, suggesting that Hg2+ exposure induced microenvironmental changes resulting in the hypoxia stress. This is the first time to provide visual evidence to support that Hg2+ stress may involve in the intracellular hypoxia microenvironment through monitoring the dynamic of NTR levels in the living systems. Our results may provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of typical heavy metal element induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liangwei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Xia Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Ping Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yue Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyue Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lingxin Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
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9
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Wu Y, Yang X, Zhai M, Chen Y, Lu X, Ju J, Zhang H, Wang G, Zhang Z, Zhu B, Wang X, Chen Z, Huang S. Real-time optical imaging of the hypoxic status in hemangioma endothelial cells during propranolol therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:995745. [PMID: 36267981 PMCID: PMC9577016 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.995745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common microvascular tumor of infancy involving the area of head and neck. One of the most important independent risk factors of IH is the hypoxia microenvironment. Fluorescent chemosensor provides a noninvasive intervention, high spatiotemporal resolution, ultrasensitive response, and real-time feedback approach to reveal the hypoxic status of cells. Our research group developed an ultrasensitive fluorescent chemosensor, HNT-NTR, and investigated the potential ability of imaging the hypoxic status of hemangioma-derived endothelial cells (HemECs). In this study, we successfully visualized the propranolol (PRN) treatment in HemECs using NHT-NTR with “Turn-off” sensing method. This chemosensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for optical imaging of hypoxic status with fast responsiveness, real-time feedback and durable photostability of the fluorescent signal. It was also confirmed that HNT-NTR could monitor nitroreductase in vivo. Paramountly, we expected this chemosensor to offer an available optical method for imaging of the hypoxic status and visualizing the therapeutic status of PRN therapy in IH with the hypoxia-imaging capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mingrui Zhai
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoya Lu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiandong Ju
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huanqing Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guanduo Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baocun Zhu
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Shengyun Huang, ; Zhanwei Chen, ; Xuan Wang,
| | - Zhanwei Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Shengyun Huang, ; Zhanwei Chen, ; Xuan Wang,
| | - Shengyun Huang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Shengyun Huang, ; Zhanwei Chen, ; Xuan Wang,
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10
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Li YX, Xie DT, Yang YX, Chen Z, Guo WY, Yang WC. Development of Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes Targeting Enzymes. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144501. [PMID: 35889374 PMCID: PMC9324355 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As biological catalysts, enzymes are vital in controlling numerous metabolic reactions. The regulation of enzymes in living cells and the amount present are indicators of the metabolic status of cell, whether in normal condition or disease. The small-molecule fluorescent probes are of interest because of their high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as their potential for automated detection. Fluorescent probes have been useful in targeting particular enzymes of interest such as proteases and caspases. However, it is difficult to develop an ideal fluorescent probe for versatile purposes. In the future, the design and synthesis of enzyme-targeting fluorescent probes will focus more on improving the selectivity, sensitivity, penetration ability and to couple the fluorescent probes with other available imaging molecules/technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Xiang Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; (Y.-X.L.); (D.-T.X.); (Y.-X.Y.)
| | - Dong-Tai Xie
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; (Y.-X.L.); (D.-T.X.); (Y.-X.Y.)
| | - Ya-Xi Yang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; (Y.-X.L.); (D.-T.X.); (Y.-X.Y.)
| | - Zhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; (Z.C.); (W.-Y.G.)
| | - Wu-Yingzheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; (Z.C.); (W.-Y.G.)
| | - Wen-Chao Yang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; (Y.-X.L.); (D.-T.X.); (Y.-X.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; (Z.C.); (W.-Y.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-27-67867706; Fax: +86-27-67867141
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Morsby JJ, Atkinson KM, Shradha Reddy Kommidi S, Freel T, Janeková H, Štacko P, Smith BD. Structure-Activity Studies of Nitroreductase-Responsive Near-Infrared Heptamethine Cyanine Fluorescent Probes. European J Org Chem 2022; 2022:e202200270. [PMID: 38322783 PMCID: PMC10846533 DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Two new classes of near-infrared molecular probes were prepared and shown to exhibit "turn on" fluorescence when cleaved by the nitroreductase enzyme, a well-known biomarker of cell hypoxia. The fluorescent probes are heptamethine cyanine dyes with a central 4'-carboxylic ester group on the heptamethine chain that is converted by a self-immolative fragmentation mechanism to a 4'-caboxylate group that greatly enhances the fluorescence brightness. Each compound was prepared by ring opening of a Zincke salt. The chemical structures have either terminal benzoindolinenes or propargyloxy auxochromes, which provide favorable red-shifted absorption/emission wavelengths and a hyperchromic effect that enhances the photon output when excited by 808 nm light. A fluorescent probe with terminal propargyloxy-indolenines exhibited less self-aggregation and was rapidly activated by nitroreductase with large "turn on" fluorescence; thus, it is the preferred choice for translation towards in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janeala J. Morsby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Kirk M. Atkinson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Sai Shradha Reddy Kommidi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Tristan Freel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Hana Janeková
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurestrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Štacko
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurestrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bradley D. Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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Significance of Specific Oxidoreductases in the Design of Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs and Fluorescent Turn Off–On Probes for Hypoxia Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112686. [PMID: 35681666 PMCID: PMC9179281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs), selectively reduced by specific oxidoreductases under hypoxic conditions, form cytotoxic agents damaging the local cancer cells. On the basis of the reported clinical data concerning several HAPs, one can draw conclusions regarding their preclinical attractiveness and, regrettably, the low efficacy of Phase III clinical trials. Clinical failure may be explained, inter alia, by the lack of screening of patients on the basis of tumor hypoxia and low availability of specific oxidoreductases involved in HAP activation. There is surprisingly little information on the quantification of these enzymes in cells or tissues, compared to the advanced research associated with the use of HAPs. Our knowledge about the expression and activity of these enzymes in various cancer cell lines under hypoxic conditions is inadequate. Only in a few cases were researchers able to demonstrate the differences in the expression or activity of selected oxidoreductases, depending on the oxygen concentration. Additionally, it was cell line dependent. More systematic studies are required. The optical probes, based on turning on the fluorescence emission upon irreversible reduction catalyzed by the overexpressed oxidoreductases, can be helpful in this type of research. Ultimately, such sensors can estimate both the oxidoreductase activity and the degree of oxygenation in one step. To achieve this goal, their response must be correlated with the expression or activity of enzymes potentially involved in turning on their emissions, as determined by biochemical methods. In conclusion, the incorporation of biomarkers to identify hypoxia is a prerequisite for successful HAP therapies. However, it is equally important to assess the level of specific oxidoreductases required for their activation. Abstract Hypoxia is one of the hallmarks of the tumor microenvironment and can be used in the design of targeted therapies. Cellular adaptation to hypoxic stress is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Hypoxia is responsible for the modification of cellular metabolism that can result in the development of more aggressive tumor phenotypes. Reduced oxygen concentration in hypoxic tumor cells leads to an increase in oxidoreductase activity that, in turn, leads to the activation of hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs). The same conditions can convert a non-fluorescent compound into a fluorescent one (fluorescent turn off–on probes), and such probes can be designed to specifically image hypoxic cancer cells. This review focuses on the current knowledge about the expression and activity of oxidoreductases, which are relevant in the activation of HAPs and fluorescent imaging probes. The current clinical status of HAPs, their limitations, and ways to improve their efficacy are briefly discussed. The fluorescence probes triggered by reduction with specific oxidoreductase are briefly presented, with particular emphasis placed on those for which the correlation between the signal and enzyme expression determined with biochemical methods is achievable.
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Zhang X, Gao Z, Xia Y, Dong Q, Cao Y, Jia Q, Sun F, Li Z, Tang C, Yu J. Insight into the spatial interaction of D-π-A bridge derived cyanines and nitroreductase for fluorescent cancer hypoxia detection. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 273:121031. [PMID: 35189489 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitroreductase (NTR) detection in tumor is critical because NTR level is correlated with hypoxia degree and cancer prognosis. With the feature of high sensitivity and selectivity, fluorescence organic probes for NTR detection exhibited a promising future for tumor hypoxia detection. However, the discovery and design of such probes have been impeded due to the lack of the understanding of spatial match and mismatch of these probes with NTR. Here, we have developed two new nitrophenyl-functionalized trimethincyanine (Cy3) probes with para- or meta- positions of nitro-group in phenyl ring. Para-nitrophenyl substituted Cy3 (pNP-Cy3) exhibited a remarkable response to NTR (20-fold fluorescence enhancement) with good selectivity and sensitivity. Experimental and theoretical analysis verified that the substituent position of nitro group on phenyl ring of dyes altered the spatial arrangement of nitro-substituent group, thereby modulated the spatial match and mismatch between Cy3 dyes and binding domain of NTR, and consequently led to a different fluorescent turn-on response. In tumor-bearing mice model, hypoxia status of A549 xenografted tumor of mice was successfully delineated by using pNP-Cy3. These results may provide a clue for designing new cyanine-derived NTR probe to monitor NTR-overexpressed hypoxia cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghan Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Zhiqing Gao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Yuqiong Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Qunyan Dong
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Yutian Cao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Qian Jia
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Chu Tang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular-Imaging and Neuro-Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710026, China.
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Wang Y, Meng X, Ma A, Sun M, Jiao S, Wang C. Rhodol-derived turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for ultrasensitive detection of nitroreductase activity in bacteria and bioimaging in oral cancer cells. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 270:120836. [PMID: 34998052 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The detection of intracellular nitroreductase (NTR) activity is important for the study of hypoxia in organisms. In the present study, a Rhodol-derived fluorescent chemosensor (Rhod-NO2) was synthesized in a one-step procedure. Rhod-NO2 exhibits 110-fold fluorescence enhancement in the presence of NTR. Moreover, Rhod-NO2 demonstrates high NTR selectivity and sensitivity (LOD, 0.6 ng/mL). The mode of Rhod-NO2 binding to NTR was also revealed by molecular docking. In addition, the reaction and luminescence mechanisms were evaluated by MS and TDDFT theoretical calculations, respectively. Finally, Rhod-NO2 was successfully applied to monitor NTR production during Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth, and to visually analyze NTR production in malignant oral cancer cells under hypoxia. Thus, Rhod-NO2 represents a new molecular tool to further understanding of the biological function of NTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyi Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xiuping Meng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ang Ma
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Mengyao Sun
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Shan Jiao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Chengkun Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Qinghua Road 1500, Changchun 130021, China.
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15
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Recent advances in aggregation-induced emission luminogens in photoacoustic imaging. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:2560-2583. [PMID: 35277741 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05726-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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