Background-free in-vivo Imaging of Vitamin C using Time-gateable Responsive Probe

Vitamin-based radiopharmaceuticals for tumor imaging

Advances in nuclear medicine, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), are among the most sensitive methods that can be used in diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy with higher efficiency and reduced toxicity benefits. In order to improve the success of treatment, it is also important to develop methods that can be used when lesions can be detected at the earliest stages. Vitamins are macromolecules that play a crucial role in numerous biological processes in both animals and humans. Escalating development of vitamin-based radiopharmaceuticals for application in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. In this review, we aimed to discuss about recent research utilizing radio-labeled vitamins for targeted tumor imaging.

Quantitative tracing of uptake and transport of submicrometre plastics in crop plants using lanthanide chelates as a dual-functional tracer

The uptake pathways of nanoplastics by edible plants have recently been qualitatively investigated. There is an urgent need to accurately quantify nanoplastics accumulation in plants. Polystyrene (PS) particles with a diameter of 200 nm were doped with the europium chelate Eu-β-diketonate (PS-Eu), which was used to quantify PS-Eu particles uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), grown hydroponically and in sandy soil using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. PS-Eu particles accumulated mainly in the roots, while transport to the shoots was limited (for example, <3% for 5,000 μg PS particles per litre exposure). Visualization of PS-Eu particles in the roots and shoots was performed with time-gated luminescence through the time-resolved fluorescence of the Eu chelate. The presence of PS-Eu particles in the plant was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Doping with lanthanide chelates provides a versatile strategy for elucidating the interactions between nanoplastics and plants.

Luminescent Lifetime Regulation of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles for Biosensing

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles possess numerous advantages including tunable luminescence emission, narrow peak width and excellent optical and thermal stability, especially concerning the long lifetime from microseconds to milliseconds. Differing from other shorter-lifetime fluorescent nanomaterials, the long lifetime of lanthanide-doped nanomaterials is independent with background fluorescence interference and biological tissue depth. This review presents the recent advances in approaches to regulating the lifetime and applications of bioimaging and biodetection. We begin with the introduction of the strategies for regulating the lifetime by modulating the core-shell structure, adjusting the concentration of sensitizer and emitter, changing energy transfer channel, establishing a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pathway and changing temperature. We then summarize the applications of these nanoparticles in biosensing, including ion and molecule detecting, DNA and protease detection, cell labeling, organ imaging and thermal and pH sensing. Finally, the prospects and challenges of the lanthanide lifetime regulation for fundamental research and practical applications are also discussed.

Photochemistry of phthalocyanine based on spin angular momenta: a kinetic study of fluorescent probes for ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid, i.e., vitamin C, is a well-known essential nutrient, and has attracted considerable attention as a new candidate for cancer therapy. Previously, R2c consisting of silicon tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanine (SiPc) and two 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radicals has been encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity of dimeric bovine serum albumin (BSA), i.e., R2c@(BSA)2, and the system was found to behave as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for detecting ascorbic acid not only in aqueous solutions but also in vivo. In this study, kinetics of the reaction of R2c@(BSA)2 with ascorbic acid have been studied based on the temporal evolution of fluorescence. Global fitting of the concentration dependence using the Runge-Kutta method revealed the existence of stepwise two proton-coupled electron transfer processes. The rate constants for the reactions with ascorbic acid (k AA ) and ascorbate radical (k AR ) were 3 × 10 and 1 × 105 min−1 M−1, respectively, suggesting that the reaction with ascorbate radical was much faster than that with ascorbic acid. These results were further corroborated by theoretical calculations of the Gibbs free energy differences and by spin statistical factors. The analysis presented herein will aid in understanding the two proton-coupled electron transfer processes in the reaction with ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic Acid Route to the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Function and Role in Disease

Significance: Humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid (AscH₂) (vitamin C), so deficiencies in dietary AscH₂ cause the life-threatening disease of scurvy and many other diseases. After oral ingestion, plasma AscH₂ concentrations are strictly controlled by transporters, which are required for entry into the cell and into intracellular organelles. Recent Advances: Besides its general antioxidant function, AscH₂ is a cofactor for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized collagen hydroxylases. Its important role in ER homeostasis is also highlighted by the fact that AscH₂ deficiency in auxotrophic species triggers ER stress. Critical Issues: Characterizations of the molecular basis of diseases suggest that intracellular AscH₂ deficiency is due not only to limited dietary access but also to its limited intracellular transport and net loss under conditions of intracellular hyperoxidation in the ER. This essay will offer an overview of the different transporters of vitamin C regulating its intracellular concentration, its function inside the ER, and the phenotypes of the diseases that can be triggered by increased depletion of this vitamin in the ER. Future Directions: When considering the benefits of increasing dietary AscH₂, it is important to consider pharmacokinetic differences in the bioavailability between orally and intravenously administered AscH₂: the latter bypasses intestinal absorption and is, therefore, the only route that can lead to the high plasma concentrations that may provide some health effects, and it is this route that needs to be chosen in clinical trials for those diseases associated with a deficiency of AscH₂. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 845-855.

Lanthanide-Doped Near-Infrared Nanoparticles for Biophotonics

Light in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region is increasingly utilized in bioapplications, providing deeper penetration in biological tissues owing to the lower absorption and scattering in comparison with light in the visible range. Lanthanide-doped luminescent nanoparticles with excitation and/or emission in the NIR range have recently attracted tremendous attention as one of the prime candidates for noninvasive biological applications due to their unique optical properties, such as large Stokes shift, spectrally sharp luminescence emissions, long luminescence lifetimes, and excellent photostability. Herein, recent advances of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles with NIR upconversion or downshifting luminescence and their uses in cutting-edge biophotonic applications are presented. A set of efficient strategies for overcoming the fundamental limit of low luminescence brightness of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles is introduced. An in-depth literature review of their state-of-art biophotonics applications is also included, showing their superiority for high-resolution imaging, single-nanoparticle-level detection, and efficacy for tissue-penetrating diagnostics and therapeutics.

Opportunities for Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles in Luminescence Imaging of Biological Systems and Photodynamic Therapy

The use of luminescence in biological systems allows us to diagnose diseases and understand cellular processes. Persistent luminescent materials have emerged as an attractive system for application in luminescence imaging of biological systems; the afterglow emission grants background-free luminescence imaging, there is no need for continuous excitation to avoid tissue and cell damage due to the continuous light exposure, and they also circumvent the depth penetration issue caused by excitation in the UV-Vis. This review aims to provide a background in luminescence imaging of biological systems, persistent luminescence, and synthetic methods for obtaining persistent luminescent materials, and discuss selected examples of recent literature on the applications of persistent luminescent materials in luminescence imaging of biological systems and photodynamic therapy. Finally, the challenges and future directions, pointing to the development of compounds capable of executing multiple functions and light in regions where tissues and cells have low absorption, will be discussed.

Effect of the Heteroaromatic Antenna on the Binding of Chiral Eu(III) Complexes to Bovine Serum Albumin

The cationic enantiopure (R,R) and luminescent Eu(III) complex [Eu(bisoQcd)(H₂O)₂] OTf (with bisoQcd = N,N′-bis(2-isoquinolinmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N′-diacetate and OTf = triflate) was synthesized and characterized. At physiological pH, the 1:1 [Eu(bisoQcd)(H₂O)₂]⁺ species, possessing two water molecules in the inner coordination sphere, is largely dominant. The interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by means of several experimental techniques, such as luminescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), molecular docking (MD), and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). In this direction, a ligand competition study was also performed by using three clinically established drugs (i.e., ibuprofen, warfarin, and digitoxin). The nature of this interaction is strongly affected by the type of the involved heteroaromatic antenna in the Eu(III) complexes. In fact, the presence of isoquinoline rings drives the corresponding complex toward the protein superficial area containing the tryptophan residue 134 (Trp134). As the main consequence, the metal center undergoes the loss of one water molecule upon interaction with the side chain of a glutamic acid residue. On the other hand, the similar complex containing pyridine rings ([Eu(bpcd)(H₂O)₂]Cl with bpcd = N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N′-diacetate) interacts more weakly with the protein in a different superficial cavity, without losing the coordinated water molecules.

The effect of the antenna moiety on the interaction of two new luminescent Eu(III) complexes with BSA was studied. Results show that the complexes can be conveniently exploited as optical probes for albumin serum proteins by means of opposite mechanisms (switch-on−off of the luminescent signal).

Lanthanide-Based Optical Probes of Biological Systems

The unique photophysical properties of lanthanides, such as europium, terbium, and ytterbium, make them versatile molecular probes of biological systems. In particular, their long-lived photoluminescence, narrow bandwidth emissions, and large Stokes shifts enable experiments that are infeasible with organic fluorophores and fluorescent proteins. The ability of these metal ions to undergo luminescence resonance energy transfer, and photon upconversion further expands the capabilities of lanthanide probes. In this review, we describe recent advances in the design of lanthanide luminophores and their application in biological research. We also summarize the latest detection systems that have been developed to fully exploit the optical properties of lanthanide luminophores. We conclude with a discussion of remaining challenges and new frontiers in lanthanide technologies. The unprecedented levels of sensitivity and multiplexing afforded by rare-earth elements illustrate how chemistry can enable new approaches in biology.

Activity-Based Sensing of Ascorbate by Using Copper-Mediated Oxidative Bond Cleavage

Ascorbate is an important biological reductant and enzyme cofactor. Although direct detection through ascorbate-mediated reduction is possible, this approach suffers from poor selectivity due to the wide range of cellular reducing agents. To overcome this limitation, we leverage reduction potential of ascorbate to mediate a copper-mediated oxidative bond cleavage of ether-caged fluorophores. The copper(II) complexes supported by a {bis(2-pyridylmethyl)}benzylamine or a {bis(2-pyridylmethyl)}(2-methoxybenzyl)amine ligand were identified as an ascorbate responsive unit and their reaction with ascorbate yields a copper-based oxidant that enables rapid benzylic oxidation and the release of an ether-caged dye (coumarin or fluorescein). The copper-mediated bond cleavage is specific to ascorbate and the trigger can be readily derivatized for tuning photophysical properties of the probes. The probes were successfully applied for the fluorometric detection of ascorbate in commercial food samples, human plasma, and serum, and within live cells by using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

Recent Advances in Luminescence Imaging of Biological Systems Using Lanthanide(III) Luminescent Complexes

The use of luminescence in biological systems allows one to diagnose diseases and understand cellular processes. Molecular systems, particularly lanthanide(III) complexes, have emerged as an attractive system for application in cellular luminescence imaging due to their long emission lifetimes, high brightness, possibility of controlling the spectroscopic properties at the molecular level, and tailoring of the ligand structure that adds sensing and therapeutic capabilities. This review aims to provide a background in luminescence imaging and lanthanide spectroscopy and discuss selected examples from the recent literature on lanthanide(III) luminescent complexes in cellular luminescence imaging, published in the period 2016-2020. Finally, the challenges and future directions that are pointing for the development of compounds that are capable of executing multiple functions and the use of light in regions where tissues and cells have low absorption will be discussed.

Recent advances of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles for biological applications

Near infrared (NIR) excited lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are emerging as a new type of fluorescent tag for biological applications, which can emit multi-photon ultraviolet, visible or NIR luminescence for imaging or activation of photosensitive molecules. Here, we present a comprehensive review on recent advances of UCNPs for a manifold of biological applications, including upconversion mechanisms, building bright multicolor upconversion nanocrystals, single nanoparticle and super resolution imaging, in vivo optical and multimodal imaging, photodynamic therapy, light-controlled drug release, biosensing, and toxicities. Our perspectives on the future development of UCNPs are also described.

Cobalt oxyhydroxide modified with poly-β-cyclodextrin and a cyanine dye as a nanoplatform for two-photon imaging of ascorbic acid in living cells and tissue

This article describes the development of several nanoconjugates composed of cobalt (III) oxyhydroxide and DEASPI/βCDP, where DEASPI stands for the dye trans-4-[p-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium, and βCDP stands for β-cyclodextrin. The material enables sensitive fluorometric detection and 3D imaging of ascorbic acid (AA) in biological samples. A nanomicelle composed of DEASPI and βCDP was prepared to act as a two-photon absorbance (TPA) nanofluorophore with desirable two-photon-sensitized fluorescence, high penetration depth, and excellent cell-permeability). The CoOOH nanoflakes were placed on the surface of the nanomicelle to act as both a quencher of fluorescence and as the recognition unit for AA. In the presence of AA, the CoOOH nanoflakes are reduced to Co (II), and this triggers the recovery of fluorescence. This new nanoprobe exhibits amplified two-photon fluorescence (excitation at 840 nm; emission at 565 nm), high sensitivity, and good selectivity. In-vitro imaging of endogenous AA was demonstrated in living HeLa cells. It was also employed to 3D imaging of exogenous AA in tissue by two-photon excitation microscopy to a depth of up to 320 μm. In our perception, this nanoprobe represents a valuable tool for elucidating the roles of AA in biochemical and clinical studies. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the preparation of a novel Poly β-Cyclodextrin/TPdye conjugated with cobalt oxyhydroxide nanoplatform and its application for high sensitive and two-photon 3D imaging of ascorbic acid (AA) in living cells and deep tissues.

In vivo fluorescence bioimaging of ascorbic acid in mice: Development of an efficient probe consisting of phthalocyanine, TEMPO, and albumin

After a groundbreaking study demonstrated that a high dose of ascorbic acid selectively kills cancer cells, the compound has been tested in the clinic against various forms of cancers, with some success. However, in vivo tracing of intravenously injected ascorbic acid has not been achieved. Herein, we successfully imaged ascorbic acid intravenously injected into mice based on the discovery of a novel, highly sensitive, and appropriately selective fluorescent probe consisting of silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) and two 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radicals, i.e., R2c. The radicals in this R2c were encapsulated in dimeric bovine serum albumin, and the sensitivity was >100-fold higher than those of other R2c-based probes. Ascorbic acid intravenously injected into mice was efficiently transported to the liver, heart, lung, and cholecyst. The present results provide opportunities to advance the use of ascorbic acid as cancer therapy.

Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Fluorophore Exhibits a Highly Ratiometric Fluorescent Response to Zn2+ in vitro and in Human Liver Cancer Cells

Two novel organic fluorophores, containing bis-naphthylamide and quinoline motifs, have been designed and synthesized. One of the fluorophores contains an isobutylene unit and exhibits a significant aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and a remarkable highly selective ratiometric fluorescence response towards Zn²⁺ in solution as well as in human liver cancer cells. The AIE behavior of this fluorophore was fully verified by fluorescence and UV/Vis spectroscopy, quantum yield calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed an intricate crystal packing system. Conversely, a fluorophore that lacks the isobutylene moiety did not exhibit any significant fluorescent properties as a result of its more flexible molecular structure that presumably allows free intramolecular rotational processes to occur.

A β-diketonate–europium(iii) complex-based fluorescent probe for highly sensitive time-gated luminescence detection of copper and sulfide ions in living cells

A strongly fluorescent β-diketonate–europium(iii) complex was developed for highly sensitive imaging of intracellular copper and sulfide ions with time-gated luminescence mode.

Design of a β-diketonate–Eu3+ complex-based time-gated luminescence probe for visualizing mitochondrial singlet oxygen

A β-diketonate–Eu³⁺ complex-based time-gated luminescence probe was developed for highly sensitive monitoring of mitochondrial singlet oxygen during the photodynamic therapy process.

A visible-light-excited Eu3+complex-based luminescent probe for highly sensitive time-gated luminescence imaging detection of intracellular peroxynitrite

A visible-light-excited europium complex was developed for highly sensitive imaging of intracellular peroxynitrite with time-gated luminescence mode.

A mitochondria-targeting time-gated luminescence probe for hypochlorous acid based on a europium complex

A europium complex-based mitochondria-targeting probe has been developed for the time-gated luminescence imaging of hypochlorous acid in living samples.

Dual-emissive nanoarchitecture of lanthanide-complex-modified silica particles for in vivo ratiometric time-gated luminescence imaging of hypochlorous acid

A dual-emissive nanoarchitecture of lanthanide-complex-modified silica particles was developed for real-time ratiometric time-gated luminescence imaging of HClO in vivo.

We have developed a ratiometric time-gated luminescence sensory system for in vivo imaging of hypochlorous acid (HClO) by preparing a dual-emissive nanoarchitecture of europium- and terbium-complex-modified silica nanoparticles. The design of this nanoarchitecture is based on our new finding that the strong, long-lived luminescence of the β-diketonate–Eu³⁺ complex can be rapidly and selectively quenched by HClO. Therefore, the β-diketonate–Eu³⁺ complex was decorated on the surface of the silica nanoparticles for responding to HClO, while a HClO-insensitive luminescent terbium complex was immobilized in the inner solid core of the nanoparticles to serve as an internal standard. This nanosensing probe combines the advantages of both ratiometric and time-gated detection modes to afford high accuracy and sensitivity. Upon exposure to HClO, the nanoprobe displayed a remarkable luminescence color change from red to green, and the intensity ratio of the green over the red luminescence (I₅₃₉/I₆₀₇) showed a rapid, sensitive and selective response to HClO. Additionally, the feasibility of using the nanoprobe for intracellular detection of exogenous and endogenous HClO and for real-time mapping of HClO in small laboratory animals has been demonstrated via ratiometric time-gated luminescence imaging microscopy. The results reveal that the constructed nanoarchitecture cloud is a favorable and useful sensing probe for the real-time imaging of HClO in vivo with high specificity and contrast.

High-Contrast Visualization of Upconversion Luminescence in Mice Using Time-Gating Approach

Optical imaging through the near-infrared (NIR) window provides deep penetration of light up to several centimeters into biological tissues. Capable of emitting 800 nm luminescence under 980 nm illumination, the recently developed upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) suggest a promising optical contrast agent for in vivo bioimaging. However, presently they require high-power lasers to excite when applied to small animals, leading to significant scattering background that limits the detection sensitivity as well as a detrimental thermal effect. In this work, we show that the time-gating approach implementing pulsed illumination from a NIR diode laser and time-delayed imaging synchronized via an optical chopper offers detection sensitivity more than 1 order of magnitude higher than the conventional approach using optical band-pass filters (S/N, 47321/6353 vs 5339/58), when imaging UCNPs injected into Kunming mice. The pulsed laser illumination (70 μs ON in 200 μs period) also reduces the overall thermal accumulation to 35% of that under the continuous-wave mode. Technical details are given on setting up the time-gating unit comprising an optical chopper, a pinhole, and a microscopy eyepiece. Being generally compatible with any camera, this provides a convenient and low cost solution to NIR animal imaging using UCNPs as well as other luminescent probes.

Application of graphene quantum dots decorated with TEMPO-derivatized zinc phthalocyanine as novel nanoprobes: probing the sensitive detection of ascorbic acid

A nanocomposite of (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl substituted zinc phthalocyanine and graphene quantum dots is a selective fluorescence sensor for ascorbic acid.