A Molecular Rotor as Viscosity Sensor in Aqueous Colloid Solutions

Near-infrared dual-response fluorescent probe for detection of N2H4 and intracellular viscosity changes in biological samples and various water samples

N2H4 is a common raw material used in the production of pesticides and has good water solubility, so it may contaminate water sources and eventually enter living organisms, causing serious health problems. Viscosity is an important indicator of the cellular microenvironment and an early warning signal for many diseases. The high reactivity of hydrazine depletes glutathione (GSH) in hepatocytes, causing oxidative stress ultimately leading to significant changes in intracellular viscosity and even death. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop an effective method to detect N2H4 and viscosity in environmental and biological systems. On this basis, we developed two fluorescent probes, BDD and BHD, based on xanthene and 2-benzothiazole acetonitrile. The experimental results show that BHD and BDD have good imaging capabilities for N2H4 in cells, zebrafish and Arabidopsis. BHD and BDD also showed sensitive detection and fluorescence enhancement in the near-infrared region when the intracellular viscosity was changed. Notably, the probe BDD has also successfully imaged N2H4 in a variety of real water samples.

The role of memory-dependent friction and solvent viscosity in isomerization kinetics in viscogenic media

Molecular isomerization kinetics in liquid solvent depends on a complex interplay between the solvent friction acting on the molecule, internal dissipation effects (also known as internal friction), the viscosity of the solvent, and the dihedral free energy profile. Due to the absence of accurate techniques to directly evaluate isomerization friction, it has not been possible to explore these relationships in full. By combining extensive molecular dynamics simulations with friction memory-kernel extraction techniques we consider a variety of small, isomerising molecules under a range of different viscogenic conditions and directly evaluate the viscosity dependence of the friction acting on a rotating dihedral. We reveal that the influence of different viscogenic media on isomerization kinetics can be dramatically different, even when measured at the same viscosity. This is due to the dynamic solute-solvent coupling, mediated by time-dependent friction memory kernels. We also show that deviations from the linear dependence of isomerization rates on solvent viscosity, which are often simply attributed to internal friction effects, are due to the simultaneous violation of two fundamental relationships: the Stokes-Einstein relation and the overdamped Kramers prediction for the barrier-crossing rate, both of which require explicit knowledge of friction.

A Xanthene Dye-based Sensor for Viscosity and Cell Imaging

A new xanthene dye, namely ImX, has been facilely prepared by reaction of 4-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde with N, N-diethyl-3-aminophenol in concentrated propionic acid, and then treated by p-chloranil. ImX presents the maximum absorption and emission band centered at 562 nm and 583 nm in water, respectively. Fluorescent spectra investigations demonstrate that ImX shows viscosity-selective fluorescent response and emission enhancement when the solvent viscosity increases from 1.1 cp. (water) to 1248 cp. (98 % glycerol). In addition, this viscosity-selective fluorescence response covers a wide pH range from 2.5 to 10.0. More significantly, ImX demonstrates low cytotoxicity and can be employed as tracer for the detection of Monensin-triggered viscosity enhancement by cell imaging.

A fluoran-based viscosity probe with high-performance for lysosome-targeted fluorescence imaging

A new fluorescent probe Lyso-Fl has been facilely prepared by an esterification reaction of spironolactone fluoran dye Rdi with ethanol, which shows viscosity-selective response by fluorescence. The new probe delivers obvious fluorescence signal enhancement when environmental viscosity changes from 1.01 cP (water) to 1256 cP (98% glycerol). And, both the emission intensity (575 nm) and fluorescence lifetime of Lyso-Fl exhibit individually good linear relationships with the solution viscosity. Besides, Lyso-Fl gives a selective response to viscosity among various biological species and exhibits pH-independent (1-10) fluorescent signals towards viscosity. More importantly, Lyso-Fl shows low cytotoxicity and can be utilized for monitoring of dexamethasone-stimulated viscosity enhancement by cell imaging with excellent lysosome-targeted performance, promoting it a promising fluorescent probe for lysosomal viscosity detection.

Solvent viscosity induces twisted intramolecular charge transfer state lifetime tunable of Thioflavin-T

Excited-state deactivation dynamics of Thioflavin-T (ThT) in gradual viscosity solvents were investigated. Femtosecond transient absorption spectra and dynamic decay curves both present significant distinction of ThT in different volume ratios binary mixtures solvents. Dynamics fitting lifetime of twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state is strongly dependent on solvents viscosity. Compared to rotation corresponding time of ThT in low viscosity solvent (0.6 cp) experimentally coincident well with Stokes-Einstein-Debye (SED) equation, the relation between rotation corresponding time and relatively high viscosity (5.9 cp to 1091.2 cp) is more consistent with fractional SED equation. Combined with optimized geometric structures of ThT by density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory, further understand TICT state lifetime increases with increasing solvents viscosity. Our work provides a comprehensive understanding of fluorescence molecular rotor (FMR) deactivation process in different viscosity solvents and is helpful to design new FMR.

Quantitative Viscosity Mapping Using Fluorescence Lifetime Measurements

Lubricant viscosity is a key driver in both the tribological performance and energy efficiency of a lubricated contact. Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication produces very high pressures and shear rates, conditions hard to replicate using conventional rheometry. In situ rheological measurements within a typical contact are therefore important to investigate how a fluid behaves under such conditions. Molecular rotors provide such an opportunity to extract the local viscosity of a fluid under EHD lubrication. The validity of such an application is shown by comparing local viscosity measurements obtained using molecular rotors and fluorescence lifetime measurements, in a model EHD lubricant, with reference measurements using conventional rheometry techniques. The appropriateness of standard methods used in tribology for high-pressure rheometry (combining friction and film thickness measurements) has been verified when the flow of EHD lubricant is homogeneous and linear. A simple procedure for calibrating the fluorescence lifetime of molecular rotors at elevated pressure for viscosity measurements is proposed.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of optically levitated aerosol: a technique to quantitatively map the viscosity of suspended aerosol particles

A technique to measure the viscosity of stably levitated single micron-sized aerosol particles.

Self-calibrating viscosity probes: design and subcellular localization

We describe the design, synthesis and fluorescence profiles of new self-calibrating viscosity dyes in which a coumarin (reference fluorophore) has been covalently linked with a molecular rotor (viscosity sensor). Characterization of their fluorescence properties was made with separate excitation of the units and through resonance energy transfer from the reference to the sensor dye. We have modified the linker and the substitution of the rotor in order to change the hydrophilicity of these probes thereby altering their subcellular localization. For instance, hydrophilic dye 12 shows a homogeneous distribution inside the cell and represents a suitable probe for viscosity measurements in the cytoplasm.

Fluorescence as an analytical tool for assessing the conversion of oil into biodiesel

In this work fluorescence-based method to assess the biodiesel production from different refined vegetable oils is presented. Four different refined oils (soybean, sunflower, canola, and corn) and their respective biodiesel were used and the fluorescence of the compounds contained in their compositions was taken as a probe. The results show that the fluorescence intensity of the biodiesel is lower than one verified in the vegetable oil. The data achieved point out that the ratio between the fluorescence intensity of biodiesel and oil is about 0.6 regardless of the vegetable oil feedstock investigated. Reduced content of fluorophores as well as low viscosity of the biodiesel regarding the oil have been raised as hypotheses to explain the low fluorescence intensity of the biodiesel. The results obtained may provide the basis for the development of an alternative method able to give fast and accurate information about the conversion of oil into biodiesel without the requirement of dilution or pre-treatment of the biodiesel.

Intrinsic and extrinsic temperature-dependency of viscosity-sensitive fluorescent molecular rotors

Molecular rotors are a group of environment-sensitive fluorescent probes whose quantum yield depends on the ability to form twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) states. TICT formation is dominantly governed by the solvent's microviscosity, but polarity and the ability of the solvent to form hydrogen bonds play an additional role. The relationship between quantum yield ϕ(F) and viscosity η is widely accepted as a power-law, ϕ(F) = C · η(x). In this study, we isolated the direct influence of the temperature on the TICT formation rate by examining several molecular rotors in protic and aprotic solvents over a range of temperatures. Each solvent's viscosity was determined as a function of temperature and used in the above power-law to determine how the proportionality constant C varies with temperature. We found that the power-law relationship fully explains the variations of the measured steady-state intensity by temperature-induced variations of the solvent viscosity, and C can be assumed to be temperature-independent. The exponent x, however, was found to be significantly higher in aprotic solvents than in protic solvents. We conclude that the ability of the solvent to form hydrogen bonds has a major influence on the relationship between viscosity and quantum yield. To use molecular rotors for the quantitative determination of viscosity or microviscosity, the exponent x needs to be determined for each dye-solvent combination.

Synthesis and evaluation of self-calibrating ratiometric viscosity sensors

We describe the design, synthesis and fluorescent profile of a family of self-calibrating dyes that provide ratiometric measurements of fluid viscosity. The design is based on covalently linking a primary fluorophore (reference) that displays a viscosity-independent fluorescence emission with a secondary fluorophore (sensor) that exhibits a viscosity-sensitive fluorescence emission. Characterization of fluorescent properties was made with separate excitation of the units and through Resonance Energy Transfer from the reference to the sensor dye. The chemical structures of both fluorophores and the linker length have been evaluated in order to optimize the overall brightness and sensitivity of the viscosity measurements. We also present an application of such ratiometric dyes for the detection of membrane viscosity changes in a liposome model.

Fluorescent molecular rotors as dyes to characterize polysorbate-containing IgG formulations

PURPOSE

The aim was to evaluate fluorescent molecular rotors (DCVJ and CCVJ), which are mainly sensitive to viscosity, for the characterization of polysorbate-containing IgG formulations and compare them to the polarity-sensitive dyes ANS, Bis-ANS and Nile Red.

METHODS

IgG formulations with polysorbate 20 or 80 were stressed below the aggregation temperature and analyzed by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and by HP-SEC with UV and fluorescent dye detection (Bis-ANS and CCVJ). Furthermore, commercial protein preparations of therapeutic proteins (Enbrel 50 mg, Humira 40 mg and MabThera 100 mg) were aggregated accordingly and analyzed with CCVJ fluorescence and HP-SEC.

RESULTS

Contrarily to (Bis-)ANS and Nile Red, the molecular rotors DCVJ and CCVJ showed low background fluorescence in polysorbate-containing buffers. Time-resolved fluorescence experiments confirmed the steady-state fluorescence data. Both DCVJ and CCVJ showed enhanced fluorescence intensity for aggregated IgG formulations and were suitable for the characterization of polysorbate-containing IgG formulations in steady-state fluorescence and HP-SEC with dye detection (CCVJ). CCVJ was capable of detecting thermally induced aggregation in the commercial polysorbate-containing products Enbrel 50 mg, Humira 40 mg and MabThera 100 mg.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescent molecular rotors are suitable probes to detect aggregation in polysorbate-containing IgG formulations.

Vascular remodeling of the mouse yolk sac requires hemodynamic force

The embryonic heart and vessels are dynamic and form and remodel while functional. Much has been learned about the genetic mechanisms underlying the development of the cardiovascular system, but we are just beginning to understand how changes in heart and vessel structure are influenced by hemodynamic forces such as shear stress. Recent work has shown that vessel remodeling in the mouse yolk sac is secondarily effected when cardiac function is reduced or absent. These findings indicate that proper circulation is required for vessel remodeling, but have not defined whether the role of circulation is to provide mechanical cues, to deliver oxygen or to circulate signaling molecules. Here, we used time-lapse confocal microscopy to determine the role of fluid-derived forces in vessel remodeling in the developing murine yolk sac. Novel methods were used to characterize flows in normal embryos and in embryos with impaired contractility (Mlc2a(-/-)). We found abnormal plasma and erythroblast circulation in these embryos, which led us to hypothesize that the entry of erythroblasts into circulation is a key event in triggering vessel remodeling. We tested this by sequestering erythroblasts in the blood islands, thereby lowering the hematocrit and reducing shear stress, and found that vessel remodeling and the expression of eNOS (Nos3) depends on erythroblast flow. Further, we rescued remodeling defects and eNOS expression in low-hematocrit embryos by restoring the viscosity of the blood. These data show that hemodynamic force is necessary and sufficient to induce vessel remodeling in the mammalian yolk sac.

Modulation of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer by viscosity in protic media

3-Hydroxyquinolones undergo excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), resulting in a dual emission highly sensitive to H-bonding perturbations. Here, we report on the strong effect of viscosity on the dual emission of 2-(2-thienyl)-3-hydroxyquinolone in protic solvents. An increase in viscosity significantly decreases the formation of the ESIPT product, thus changing dramatically the ratio of the two emission bands. Time-resolved studies suggest the presence of solvated species characterized by decay times close to the solvent relaxation times in viscous media. The intramolecular H bond in this species is probably disrupted by the solvent, and therefore, its ESIPT requires a reorganization of the solvation shell for restoring this intramolecular H bond. Thus, the ESIPT reaction of this dye and its dual emission depend on solvent relaxation rates and, therefore, on viscosity. The present results suggest a new physical principle for the fluorescence ratiometric measurement of local viscosity.

Molecular rotors—fluorescent biosensors for viscosity and flow

Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid against gradients in flow (shear rate). Both flow and viscosity play an important role in all biological systems from the microscopic (e.g., cellular) to the systemic level. Many methods to measure viscosity and flow have drawbacks, such as the tedious and time-consuming measurement process, expensive instrumentation, or the restriction to bulk sample sizes. Fluorescent environment-sensitive dyes are known to show high sensitivity and high spatial and temporal resolution. Molecular rotors are a group of fluorescent molecules that form twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) states upon photoexcitation and therefore exhibit two competing deexcitation pathways: fluorescence emission and non-radiative deexcitation from the TICT state. Since TICT formation is viscosity-dependent, the emission intensity of molecular rotors depends on the solvent's viscosity. Furthermore, shear-stress dependency of the emission intensity was recently described. Although the photophysical processes are widely explored, the practical application of molecular rotors as sensors for viscosity and the fluid flow introduce additional challenges. Intensity-based measurements are influenced by fluid optical properties and dye concentration, and solvent-dye interaction requires calibration of the measurement system to a specific solvent. Ratiometric dyes and measurement systems help solve these challenges. In addition, the combination of molecular rotors with specific recognition groups allows them to target specific sites, for example the cell membrane or cytoplasm. Molecular rotors are therefore emerging as new biosensors for both bulk and local microviscosity, and for flow and fluid shear stress on a microscopic scale and with real-time response.

Effects of solvent polarity and solvent viscosity on the fluorescent properties of molecular rotors and related probes

Fluorescent molecular rotors belong to a group of twisted intramolecular charge transfer complexes (TICT) whose photophysical characteristics depend on their environment. In this study, the influence of solvent polarity and viscosity on several representative TICT compounds (three Coumarin derivatives, 4,4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile DMABN, 9-(dicyanovinyl)-julolidine DCVJ), was examined. While solvent polarity caused a bathochromic shift of peak emission in all compounds, this shift was lowest in the case of molecular rotors. Peak intensity was influenced strongly by solvent viscosity in DMABN and the molecular rotors, but polarity and viscosity influences cannot be separated with DMABN. Coumarins, on the other hand, did not show viscosity sensitivity. This study shows the unique suitability of molecular rotors as fluorescent viscosity sensors.

Chaotic mixing in a steady flow in a microchannel

We report experiments on mixing of a passively advected fluorescent dye in a low Reynolds number flow in a microscopic channel. The channel is a chain of repeating segments with a custom designed profile that generates a steady three-dimensional flow with stretching and folding, and chaotic mixing. A few statistical characteristics of mixing in the flow are studied and are all found to agree with theoretical and experimental results for the flows in the Batchelor regime of mixing that are chaotic in time. The proposed microchannel provides fast and efficient mixing and is simple to fabricate.

Precision Assessment of Biofluid Viscosity Measurements Using Molecular Rotors

Blood viscosity changes with many pathologic conditions, but its importance has not been fully investigated because the current methods of measurement are poorly suited for clinical applications. The use of viscosity-sensitive fluorescent molecular rotors to determine fluid viscosity in a nonmechanical manner has been investigated recently, but it is unknown how the precision of the fluorescence-based method compares to established mechanical viscometry. Human blood plasma viscosity was modulated with high-viscosity plasma expanders, dextran, pentastarch, and hetastarch. The samples were divided into a calibration and a test set. The relationship between fluorescence emission and viscosity was established using the calibration set. Viscosity of the test set was determined by fluorescence and by cone-and-plate viscometer, and the precision of both methods compared. Molecular rotor fluorescence intensity showed a power law relationship with solution viscosity. Mechanical measurements deviated from the theoretical viscosity value by less than 7.6%, while fluorescence-based measurements deviated by less than 6%. The average coefficient of variation was 6.9% (mechanical measurement) and 3.4% to 3.8% (fluorescence-based measurement, depending on the molecular rotor used). Fluorescence-based viscometry exhibits comparable precision to mechanical viscometry. Fluorescence viscometry does not apply shear and is therefore more practical for biofluids which have apparent non-Newtonian properties. In addition, fluorescence instrumentation makes very fast serial measurements possible, thus promising new areas of application in laboratory and clinical settings.

Hydrophilic molecular rotor derivatives—synthesis and characterization

Recent research shows high potential for some p-N,N-dialkylaminobenzylidenecyanoacetates, part of a group known as fluorescent molecular rotors, to serve as fluorescent, non-mechanical viscosity sensors. Of particular interest are molecules compatible with aqueous environments. In this study, we present the synthesis and physical characterization of derivatives from 9-(2-carboxy-2-cyanovinyl)-julolidine and related molecules. All compounds show a power-law relationship of fluorescence emission with the viscosity of the solvent, different mixtures of ethylene glycol and glycerol to modulate viscosity. Compounds with high water solubility exhibit the same behavior in aqueous solutions of dextran, where the dextran concentration was varied to modulate viscosity. In addition, some compounds have been found to have low sensitivity towards changes in the pH in the physiological range. The compounds presented show promise to be used in biofluids, such as blood plasma or lymphatic fluid, to rapidly and non-mechanically determine viscosity.