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Abelha TF, Dreiss CA, Green MA, Dailey LA. Conjugated polymers as nanoparticle probes for fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:592-606. [DOI: 10.1039/c9tb02582k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this review, the role of conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) in emerging bioimaging techniques is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Fedatto Abelha
- King's College London
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
- London
- UK
- School of Pharmacy
| | - Cécile A. Dreiss
- King's College London
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
- London
- UK
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2
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Neumann PR, Crossley DL, Turner M, Ingleson M, Green M, Rao J, Dailey LA. In Vivo Optical Performance of a New Class of Near-Infrared-Emitting Conjugated Polymers: Borylated PF8-BT. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:46525-46535. [PMID: 31746180 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b17022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Borylated poly(fluorene-benzothiadiazoles) (PF8-BT) are π-conjugated polymers (CPs) with deep-red/near-infrared (NIR) absorption and emission profiles suitable for in vivo optical imaging. A fully borylated PF8-BT derivative (P4) was encapsulated in pegylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles and compared with a reference NIR-emitting CP (PCPDTBT) or indocyanine green (ICG). All formulations satisfied quality requirements for parenterally administered diagnostics. P4 nanoparticles had higher quantum yield (2.3%) than PCPCDTBT (0.01%) or ICG nanoparticles (1.1%). The signal/background ratios (SBRs) of CP systems P4 and PCPDTBT in a phantom mouse (λem = 820 nm) increased linearly with fluorophore mass (12.5-100 μg/mL), while the SBRs of ICG decreased above 25 μg/mL. P4 nanoparticles experienced <10% photobleaching over 10 irradiations (PCPDTBT: ∼25% and ICG: >44%). In a mouse tumor xenograft model, P4 nanoparticles showed a 5-fold higher SBR than PCPDTBT particles with fluorophore accumulation in the liver > spleen > tumor. Blood chemistry and tissue histology showed no abnormalities compared to untreated animals after a single administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Robert Neumann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle/Saale 06120 , Germany
| | - Daniel L Crossley
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield HD1 3DH , U.K
| | - Michael Turner
- School of Chemistry , University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL , U.K
| | - Michael Ingleson
- School of Chemistry , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh EH9 3FJ , U.K
| | - Mark Green
- Department of Physics , King's College London , London WC2R 2LS , U.K
| | - Jianghong Rao
- Department of Radiology and Chemistry , Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 , United States
| | - Lea Ann Dailey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle/Saale 06120 , Germany
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Kuehne AJC. Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles toward In Vivo Theranostics - Focus on Targeting, Imaging, Therapy, and the Importance of Clearance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 1:e1700100. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. C. Kuehne
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials; RWTH Aachen University; Forckenbeckstraße 50 52076 Aachen Germany
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Hashim Z, Alomari S, Alghamdi W, Altuwirqi R, Green M. Optically observed multiple inter-chain interactions in polyblend semiconducting polymer nanoparticles. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra07665g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tunable nanoparticle photoluminescence was observed in nanoparticles formed from a polyblend of F8BT, MEH-PPV, and CN-PPV. This phenomena was attributed to direct and indirect inter-chain interactions between the polymers within each nanoparticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z. Hashim
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Sciences
- King Abdulaziz University
- Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia
| | - S. Alomari
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Sciences
- King Abdulaziz University
- Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia
| | - W. Alghamdi
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Sciences
- King Abdulaziz University
- Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia
| | - R. Altuwirqi
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Sciences
- King Abdulaziz University
- Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia
| | - M. Green
- Department of Physics
- King's College London
- London
- UK
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Singh A, Bezuidenhout M, Walsh N, Beirne J, Felletti R, Wang S, Fitzgerald KT, Gallagher WM, Kiely P, Redmond G. Functionalization of emissive conjugated polymer nanoparticles by coprecipitation: consequences for particle photophysics and colloidal properties. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 27:305603. [PMID: 27306338 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/30/305603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The functionalization of polyfluorene (PFO) nanoparticles by coprecipitation of the conjugated polymer with an amphiphilic comb polymer, consisting of a hydrophobic polystyrene backbone with hydrophilic, carboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene oxide side-chains (PS-PEG-COOH), is investigated. The comb polymer affects the properties of the formed hybrid nanoparticles. Non-functionalized particles are typically larger (28 nm) than functionalized ones (20 nm); peak molar extinction coefficients are found to differ in a similar trend. Zeta potentials are negative, consistent with negative surface charge on PFO particles due to chemical defect formation, with additional charge on functionalized particles due to the pendant carboxylic acid groups. Emission quantum yields of functionalized particles are typically larger, consistent with lower efficiency of energy transfer to quenchers in smaller particles and weaker PFO interchain interactions due to chain dilution. The trend in per-particle fluorescence brightness values, as confirmed by single particle fluorescence imaging, reflects the nanoparticle extinction coefficients. Photostability studies on aqueous dispersions of hybrid particles indicate mild photobrightening under continuous illumination while PFO particles exhibit slow exponential emission decay. Functionalized particles are also resistant to aggregation during exposure to adenocarcinoma cells. Generally, the hybrid particles exhibit more favorable time-, pH- and medium-dependent stabilities, likely due to steric and electrostatic stabilization by PEG-carboxylic acid functionalities. Overall, the functionalized particles exhibit attractive properties: Reasonably small size, tight size distribution, high absorption cross section, radiative rate and emission quantum yield, excellent brightness and photostability, and good colloidal stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Singh
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. The University of Texas at Austin, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop, C0400, Austin, TX 78712-1589, USA
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Ahmad Khanbeigi R, Abelha TF, Woods A, Rastoin O, Harvey RD, Jones MC, Forbes B, Green MA, Collins H, Dailey LA. Surface chemistry of photoluminescent F8BT conjugated polymer nanoparticles determines protein corona formation and internalization by phagocytic cells. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:733-42. [PMID: 25590257 DOI: 10.1021/bm501649y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Conjugated polymer nanoparticles are being developed for a variety of diagnostic and theranostic applications. The conjugated polymer, F8BT, a polyfluorene derivative, was used as a model system to examine the biological behavior of conjugated polymer nanoparticle formulations stabilized with ionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate; F8BT-SDS; ∼207 nm; -31 mV) and nonionic (pegylated 12-hydroxystearate; F8BT-PEG; ∼175 nm; -5 mV) surfactants, and compared with polystyrene nanoparticles of a similar size (PS200; ∼217 nm; -40 mV). F8BT nanoparticles were as hydrophobic as PS200 (hydrophobic interaction chromatography index value: 0.96) and showed evidence of protein corona formation after incubation with serum-containing medium; however, unlike polystyrene, F8BT nanoparticles did not enrich specific proteins onto the nanoparticle surface. J774A.1 macrophage cells internalized approximately ∼20% and ∼60% of the F8BT-SDS and PS200 delivered dose (calculated by the ISDD model) in serum-supplemented and serum-free conditions, respectively, while cell association of F8BT-PEG was minimal (<5% of the delivered dose). F8BT-PEG, however, was more cytotoxic (IC50 4.5 μg cm(-2)) than F8BT-SDS or PS200. The study results highlight that F8BT surface chemistry influences the composition of the protein corona, while the properties of the conjugated polymer nanoparticle surfactant stabilizer used determine particle internalization and biocompatibility profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Ahmad Khanbeigi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, King's College London , 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K
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Khanbeigi RA, Hashim Z, Abelha TF, Pitchford S, Collins H, Green M, Dailey LA. Interactions of stealth conjugated polymer nanoparticles with human whole blood. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:2463-2471. [DOI: 10.1039/c4tb01822b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photoluminescent conjugated polymeric nanoparticles (CPNs) exhibit favourable properties as fluorescent probes due to their brightness, high photostability, tunable emission spectra and ease of surface modification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeina Hashim
- Department of Physics
- King's College London
- London WC2R 2LS
- UK
| | | | - Simon Pitchford
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
- King's College London
- London SE1 9NH
- UK
| | - Helen Collins
- Division of Immunology
- Infection and Inflammatory Diseases
- King's College London
- London SE1 1UL
- UK
| | - Mark Green
- Department of Physics
- King's College London
- London WC2R 2LS
- UK
| | - Lea Ann Dailey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
- King's College London
- London SE1 9NH
- UK
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Cianga L, Bendrea AD, Fifere N, Nita LE, Doroftei F, Ag D, Seleci M, Timur S, Cianga I. Fluorescent micellar nanoparticles by self-assembly of amphiphilic, nonionic and water self-dispersible polythiophenes with “hairy rod” architecture. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra10734a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Fernando LP, Kandel PK, Ackroyd PC, Christensen KA. The relative brightness of PEG lipid-conjugated polymer nanoparticles as fluid-phase markers in live cells. Anal Bioanal Chem 2012; 404:3003-14. [PMID: 23052882 PMCID: PMC3501596 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-6441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) have been widely touted as ultra-bright labels for biological imaging, no direct comparative measurements of their intracellular brightness have been reported. Simple in vitro comparisons are not definitive since fluorophore brightness in vitro may not correspond with intracellular brightness. We have compared the fluorescence brightness of J774A.1 cells loaded with 24 nm methoxy-capped 2,000 M(r) polyethylene glycol lipid PFBT nanoparticles (PEG lipid-PFBT CPNs) to cells loaded with carboxy-functionalized quantum dots (Qdots) or a dextran-linked small molecule organic dye, Alexa Fluor 488 dextran (AF488-dex). Under conditions likely to be used for biological imaging or flow cytometry, these CPNs are 175× brighter than Qdots and 1,400× brighter than AF488-dex in cells. Evaluation of the minimum incubation concentration required for detection of nanoparticle fluorescence with a commercial flow cytometer indicated that the limit of detection for PEG lipid-PFBT CPNs was 19 pM (86 ppb), substantially lower than values obtained for Qdots (980 pM) or AF488-dex (11.2 nM). Investigation of the mechanism of cellular uptake of the three fluid-phase labels indicates that these particles are passively taken into macrophage cells via macropinocytosis without interaction with cell surface receptors, and ultimately localize in lysosomes. In addition, no cytotoxicity could be observed at any of the CPN concentrations tested. Together, these data suggest that these CPNs are appropriate and attractive candidates as fluid-phase markers with significantly greater fluorescence brightness than existing dyes or nanoparticles. We expect that these CPNs will find application in both imaging and flow cytometry.
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Li Y, Liu J, Liu B, Tomczak N. Highly emissive PEG-encapsulated conjugated polymer nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2012; 4:5694-5702. [PMID: 22878417 DOI: 10.1039/c2nr31267k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A novel bioimaging probe based on a conjugated polymer, poly(9,9-dihexylfluorene-alt-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole) (PFBD), is demonstrated. Transfer of the hydrophobic polymer into water using a short chain poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) resulted in conjugated polymer nanoparticles (PEG-PFBD) with a fluorescence quantum yield of 46%. The PEG-PFBD nanoparticles possessed several desirable structural and photophysical properties, such as colloidal stability in a broad range of pH values, sub-20 nm particle size, the presence of surface chemical functionality, as well as desirable excitation and emission spectra, for bioimaging applications. PEG-PFBD nanoparticles were conjugated with cyclic RGDfK targeting peptide for labeling of membrane α(V)β(3) integrin receptors on live HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells. Single nanoparticle microscopy revealed that the PEG-capped PFBD nanoparticles exhibit at least ten times higher emitted photon counts than single quantum dots (QD655) of comparable size. In addition, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) of single PEG-PFBD nanoparticles revealed that the nanoparticles display a clearly resolvable single nanoparticle fluorescence lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiong Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602
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Jin Y, Ye F, Wu C, Chan YH, Chiu DT. Generation of functionalized and robust semiconducting polymer dots with polyelectrolytes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2012; 48:3161-3. [PMID: 22349364 PMCID: PMC3819213 DOI: 10.1039/c2cc17703j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We describe a facile method to functionalize semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) with polyelectrolytes. The polyelectrolyte coating dramatically improves the colloidal stability of the Pdots in solutions which are either of high ionic strength or contain bivalent metal ions: this feature allows Pdots to be used under physiologically relevant environments without losing their functionality. We conjugated the polyelectrolyte-coated Pdots with streptavidin to demonstrate their application in specific cell labeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Changfeng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (USA) Fax: (+1) 206-685-8665
| | - Yang-Hsiang Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (USA) Fax: (+1) 206-685-8665
| | - Daniel T. Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (USA) Fax: (+1) 206-685-8665
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Kandel PK, Fernando LP, Ackroyd PC, Christensen KA. Incorporating functionalized polyethylene glycol lipids into reprecipitated conjugated polymer nanoparticles for bioconjugation and targeted labeling of cells. NANOSCALE 2011; 3:1037-45. [PMID: 21152603 PMCID: PMC5507079 DOI: 10.1039/c0nr00746c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We report a simple and rapid method to prepare extremely bright, functionalized, stable, and biocompatible conjugated polymer nanoparticles incorporating functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) lipids by reprecipitation. These nanoparticles retain the fundamental spectroscopic properties of conjugated polymer nanoparticles prepared without PEG lipid, but demonstrate greater hydrophilicity and quantum yield compared to unmodified conjugated polymer nanoparticles. The sizes of these nanoparticles, as determined by TEM, were 21-26 nm. Notably, these nanoparticles were prepared with several PEG lipid functional end groups, including biotin and carboxy moieties that can be easily conjugated to biomolecules. We have demonstrated the availability of these end groups for functionalization using the interaction of biotin PEG lipid conjugated polymer nanoparticles with streptavidin. Biotinylated PEG lipid conjugated polymer nanoparticles bound streptavidin-linked magnetic beads, while carboxy and methoxy PEG lipid modified nanoparticles did not. Similarly, biotinylated PEG lipid conjugated polymer nanoparticles bound streptavidin-coated glass slides and could be visualized as diffraction-limited spots, while nanoparticles without PEG lipid or with non-biotin PEG lipid end groups were not bound. To demonstrate that nanoparticle functionalization could be used for targeted labelling of specific cellular proteins, biotinylated PEG lipid conjugated polymer nanoparticles were bound to biotinylated anti-CD16/32 antibodies on J774A.1 cell surface receptors, using streptavidin as a linker. This work represents the first demonstration of targeted delivery of conjugated polymer nanoparticles and demonstrates the utility of these new nanoparticles for fluorescence based imaging and sensing.
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