A near-infrared fluorescent probe with two-photon excitation for in situ imaging of NQO1 in human colorectum cancer tissue

Colorectum cancer has become one of the most fatal cancer diseases, in which NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a role in intracellular free radical reduction and detoxification and has been linked to colorectum cancer and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, rational design of optical probe for NQO1 detection is urgent for the early diagnosis of colorectum cancer. Herein, we have developed a novel two-photon fluorescent probe, WHFD, which is capable of selectively detecting of intracellular NQO1 with two-photon (TP) absorption (800 nm) and near-infrared emission (620 nm). Combination with a substantial Stokes shift (175 nm) and biocompatibility, we have assessed its suitability for in vivo imaging of endogenous NQO1 activities from HepG2 tumor-bearing live animals with high tissue penetration up to 300 μm. Particularly, we for the first time used the probe to image NQO1 activities from human colorectum cancer samples by using TP microscopy, and proving our probe possesses reliable diagnostic performance to directly in situ imaging of cancer biomarker and can clearly distinguish the boundary between human colorectum cancer tissue and their surrounding normal tissue, which shows great potential for the intraoperative navigation.

Tetraphenylethylene-based AIE nanoprobes for labeling lysosome by two-photon imaging in living cells

Lysosomes are essential cellular organelles, serving vital functions in cellular metabolism and degradation. The design of specifically targeting lysosomes probes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics using two-photon excitation techniques is significance and challenging work. Here we designed and synthesized two tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based AIE fluorescence probes, naming TPE-Ma and TPE-Py, with TPE as the matrix and morpholine (Ma) or pyrrolidone (Py) as the targeting group. These probes exhibit a significant Stokes shift, low cytotoxicity, two-photo fluorescence imaging and lysosome-specific targeting capability ensuring their suitability for fluorescence imaging applications. To enhance the water solubility and cellular accumulation of TPE-Ma and TPE-Py in tumor cells, we employed a biocompatible polymer 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-mPEG2000) as a nanocarrier. By encapsulating TPE-Ma and TPE-Py within DSPE-mPEG2000, we successfully developed two AIE fluorescent nanoprobes known as DSPE@ TPE-Ma and DSPE@ TPE-Py. The results demonstrated that fluorescent nanoprobes DSPE@ TPE-Ma and DSPE@ TPE-Py possess excellent cell permeability, biocompatibility, superior photostability and specific targeting towards lysosomes in MCF-7 cells. Our findings highlight the potential of these fluorescent nanoprobes as effective tools for two-photon fluorescence imaging and targeted detection of lysosomes in cancer cells.

Fluorescein isothiocyanate-doped conjugated polymer nanoparticles for two-photon ratiometric fluorescent imaging of intracellular pH fluctuations

Herein, we report a two-photon ratiometric fluorescent pH nanosensor based on conjugated polymer poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) nanoparticles loaded with pH-sensitive fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for intracellular pH monitoring. The obtained nanosensor (FITC-PFO NPs) possesses high sensitivity, excellent stability, good reversibility, favorable two-photon excitability and low cytotoxicity. The ratiometric fluorescence of FITC and PFO (F₅₁₇/F₄₁₇) in FITC-PFO NPs solution shows an efficient pH-sensitive response over the pH range from 3 to 10 (pKa = 6.43) under two-photon excitation. Additionally, the FITC-PFO NPs is successfully applied for ratiometric imaging of intracellular pH and its fluctuation in both one-photon and two-photon excitation modes. Overall, the two-photon pH nanosensor based on FITC-PFO NPs exhibits great potential in crucial physiological and biological processes related to intracellular pH fluctuations.

Building and Using a Two-Photon Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy Setup Including Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis

Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy (FCCS) is a well-established and useful tool in physics and chemistry. Furthermore, due to its hybrid character of being a bulk assay at a single molecular level, it found many applications in biophysics and molecular biochemistry. Examples may be investigating kinetics and dynamics of chemical and biochemical reactions such as protein-ligand-, protein-protein-binding, fast conformational changes, and intracellular transportation. Also, it was utilized to characterize larger structures such as lipid vesicles and multi-protein complexes. A two-photon excitation source makes FCCS relatively easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain. Combining this technique with fluorescence lifetime analysis results in a versatile biophysical tool that can be used to solve many biological problems, as even small changes in the local environment, like pH or salt concentration, can be monitored if appropriate fluorophores are used. An example of its use for membrane docking and fusion assays is described in Chap. 13 . In this chapter, we want to give the reader a simple, detailed step-by-step guide of how to set up such a tool.

Two-photon fluorescence lifetime for label-free microfluidic droplet sorting

Microfluidic droplet sorting systems facilitate automated selective micromanipulation of compartmentalized micro- and nano-entities in a fluidic stream. Current state-of-the-art droplet sorting systems mainly rely on fluorescence detection in the visible range with the drawback that pre-labeling steps are required. This limits the application range significantly, and there is a high demand for alternative, label-free methods. Therefore, we introduce time-resolved two-photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence detection with excitation at 532 nm as a detection technique in droplet microfluidics. This enables label-free in-droplet detection of small aromatic compounds that only absorb in a deep-UV spectral region. Applying time-correlated single-photon counting, compounds with similar emission spectra can be distinguished due to their fluorescence lifetimes. This information is then used to trigger downstream dielectrophoretic droplet sorting. In this proof-of-concept study, we developed a polydimethylsiloxane-fused silica (FS) hybrid chip that simultaneously provides a very high optical transparency in the deep-UV range and suitable surface properties for droplet microfluidics. The herein developed system incorporating a 532-nm picosecond laser, time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), and a chip-integrated dielectrophoretic pulsed actuator was exemplarily applied to sort droplets containing serotonin or propranolol. Furthermore, yeast cells were screened using the presented platform to show its applicability to study cells based on their protein autofluorescence via TPE fluorescence lifetime at 532 nm.

Multifunctional AIE iridium (III) photosensitizer nanoparticles for two-photon-activated imaging and mitochondria targeting photodynamic therapy

Developing novel photosensitizers for deep tissue imaging and efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains a challenge because of the poor water solubility, low reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency, serve dark cytotoxicity, and weak absorption in the NIR region of conventional photosensitizers. Herein, cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes (Ir) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature, high photoinduced ROS generation efficiency, two-photon excitation, and mitochondria-targeting capability were designed and further encapsulated into biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs). The Ir-NPs can be used to disturb redox homeostasis in vitro, result in mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis. Importantly, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the Ir-NPs presented obviously tumor-targeting ability, excellent antitumor effect, and low systematic dark-toxicity. Moreover, the Ir-NPs could serve as a two-photon imaging agent for deep tissue bioimaging with a penetration depth of up to 300 μm. This work presents a promising strategy for designing a clinical application of multifunctional Ir-NPs toward bioimaging and PDT.

Cell membrane covered polydopamine nanoparticles with two-photon absorption for precise photothermal therapy of cancer

HYPOTHESIS

In view of the photothermal effect of polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles and their internal D-π-D structures during assembly, the two-photon excited properties of PDA were studied toward the biomedical application. Further, the PDA molecules were coordinated with Mn²⁺ and the assembled nanoparticles were covered by cancer cell membranes, the complex system could be used directly for the treatment of cancer with photothermal and chemodynamic therapy.

EXPERIMENTS

The two-photon excited PDA-Mn²⁺ nanoparticles were used for the photothermal therapy combined with chemodynamic therapy. The complexes were coated with cancer cell membranes in order to enhance the tumor homologous efficiency. Multi-modal bioimaging and anti-tumor detections were carried out both in vitro and in vivo.

FINDINGS

PDA nanoparticles were demonstrated to have both good two-photon excited fluorescence and photothermal efficiency. The assembled nanoparticles modified with Mn²⁺ and cancer cell membranes have an obvious targeting and synergetic anti-cancer efficiency. The system creates a simple way for a precise operation with multi-modal imaging function.

Two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe based on NBD-amine functionalized semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for real-time imaging of hydrogen sulfide in living cells and zebrafish

The thiolysis of 7-nitro-1,2,3-benzoxadiazole amine (NBD-A) paves the way for specific sensing of H₂S over biothiols and real-time imaging in living organisms. Rational fabrication of NBD-A-based probe with ratiometric mode and two-photon excitation is highly appealing to achieve high quality bioimaging. In this work, the NBD-A molecules are assembled with poly(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) polymer nanoparticles, defined as NBD@PFO, to construct two-photon ratiometric probes for H₂S detection through the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). For the construction of NBD@PFO nanohybrids, polymer nanoparticles are employed as the NBD-A molecular vehicle, energy donor and two-photon absorber, while NBD-A is served as the response unit and energy acceptor. Taking advantages of NBD-A and polymer nanoparticles, the obtained NBD@PFO probes exhibit high selectivity, fast response (<5 s), ratiometric detection and two-photon excitation. Our results indicate that NBD@PFO nanohybrids are successfully applied for monitoring of H₂S concentration in living cells and zebrafish, exhibiting great potential of polymer nanoparticles to improve the imaging capability of an organic small molecular probe.

Photo-transformable genetically-encoded optical probes for functional highlighting in vivo

Studying the brain requires knowledge about both structure (i.e., connectome) and function of its constituents (neurons and glia alike). This need has prompted the development of novel tools and techniques, in particular optical techniques to examine cells remotely. Early works (1900's) led to the development of novel cell-staining techniques that, when combined with the use of a very simple light microscope, visualized individual neurons and their subcellular compartments in fixed tissues. Today, highlighting of structure and function can be performed on live cells, notably in vivo, owing to discovery of GFP and subsequent development of genetically encoded fluorescent optical tools. In this review, we focus our attention on a subset of optical biosensors, namely probes whose emission can be modified by light. We designate them photo-transformable genetically encoded probes. The family of photo-transformable probes embraces current probes that undergo photoactivation (PA), photoconversion (PC) or photoswitching (PS). We argue that these are particularly suited for studying multiple features of neurons, such as structure, connectivity and function concomitantly, for functional highlighting of neurons in vivo.

Functional titanium dioxide nanoparticle conjugated with phthalocyanine and folic acid as a promising photosensitizer for targeted photodynamic therapy in vitro and in vivo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment that can be implemented using various agents. The conventional photosensitizer Al (III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulfonic acid (Pc) has limitations of selectivity in tumor targeting, low affinity to cancer cells, and low two-photon absorption. This study presents a novel photosensitizer FA-TiO₂-Pc, which has the TiO₂ nanoparticle conjugated with a tumor targeting agent of folic acid (FA), and Pc. FA-TiO₂-Pc possessed high targeted photodynamic therapeutic activity and excellent biocompatibility. This promising photosensitizer showed high therapeutic drug efficiency in vitro at a low concentration dose and short incubation time under one-photon excitation (OPE). In vivo, when treated with a low dose of FA-TiO₂-Pc and low light irradiation, the tumor growth was depressed in mice bearing HeLa xenograft tumors with minimal side effects. In addition, the two-photon absorption of FA-TiO₂-Pc was also enhanced compared to Pc, proving that FA-TiO₂-Pc system has a great potential to be used for the therapy of the folate receptor positive cancer cells in both OPE-PDT and two-photon excitation (TPE)-PDT agents.

Low-cost low-field NMR and MRI: Instrumentation and applications

While NMR and MRI are often thought of as expensive techniques requiring large institutional investment, opportunities for low-cost, low-field NMR and MRI abound. We discuss a number of approaches to performing magnetic resonance experiments with inexpensive, easy to find or build components, aimed at applications in industry, education, and research. Opportunities that aim to make NMR accessible to a broad community are highlighted. We describe and demonstrate some projects from our laboratory, including a new prototype instrument for measurements at frequencies up to ∼200 kHz and demonstrate its application to the study of the rapidly advancing technique known as inhomogeneous magnetization transfer imaging, a promising method for characterizing myelin in vivo.

Water-Soluble Fullerenol with Hydroxyl Group Dependence for Efficient Two-Photon Excited Photodynamic Inactivation of Infectious Microbes

We successfully prepared water-soluble fullerenol [C₆₀(OH)₄₆] that exhibited a high singlet oxygen quantum yield and efficiently generated reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ with a higher composition of exposed hydroxyl groups had superior two-photon stability and characteristics compared with that with a lower composition of such groups. Therefore, the prepared fullerenol can be an effective two-photon photosensitizer. The water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ had favorable two-photon properties. During two-photon photodynamic therapy, the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)₄₆ had substantial antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli at an ultralow-energy level of 211.2 nJ pixel^-1 with 800 scans and a photoexcited wavelength of 760 nm.

Recent trends in two-photon auto-fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) and its biomedical applications

Two photon fluorescence microscopy and the numerous technical advances to it have served as valuable tools in biomedical research. The fluorophores (exogenous or endogenous) absorb light and emit lower energy photons than the absorption energy and the emission (fluorescence) signal is measured using a fluorescence decay graph. Additionally, high spatial resolution images can be acquired in two photon fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) with improved penetration depth which helps in detection of fluorescence signal in vivo. 2P-FLIM is a non-invasive imaging technique in order to visualize cellular metabolic, by tracking intrinsic fluorophores present in it, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide and tryptophan etc. 2P-FLIM of these molecules enable the visualization of metabolic alterations, non-invasively. This comprehensive review discusses the numerous applications of 2P-FLIM towards cancer, neuro-degenerative, infectious diseases, and wound healing.

Mesoporous Silica-Based Nanoparticles for Light-Actuated Biomedical Applications via Near-Infrared Two-Photon Absorption

In this review, we highlight the design of nanomaterials for two-photon excitation, in order to treat tumors with a high accuracy. Indeed two-photon excitation allows remote control of the nanoparticles with a spatio-temporal resolution. The nanomaterials are based on mesoporous silica-organosilica nanoparticles including core-shell systems. The therapeutic treatments include drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, gene silencing, and their combinations. At first, the nanosystems designed for two-photon-triggered cytotoxic drug delivery are reviewed. Then the nanomaterials prepared for two-photon photodynamic therapy and reactive oxygen species delivery are discussed. Finally, the nanosystems combining drug delivery or gene silencing with two-photon photodynamic therapy are presented. Due to the rapid progresses concerning two-photon-excited nanomaterials and the interest of near-infrared light to treat deep tumors, we believe this technology could be of high interest for the personalized medicine of the future.

Region-Specific Microstructure in the Neonatal Ventricles of a Porcine Model

The neonate transitions from placenta-derived oxygen, to supply from the pulmonary system, moments after birth. This requires a series of structural developments to divert more blood through the right heart and onto the lungs, with the tissue quickly remodelling to the changing ventricular workload. In some cases, however, the heart structure does not fully develop causing poor circulation and inefficient oxygenation, which is associated with an increase in mortality and morbidity. This study focuses on developing an enhanced knowledge of the 1-day old heart, quantifying the region-specific microstructural parameters of the tissue. This will enable more accurate mathematical and computational simulations of the young heart. Hearts were dissected from 12, 1-day-old deceased Yorkshire piglets (mass: 2.1–2.4 kg, length: 0.38–0.51 m), acquired from a breeding farm. Evans blue dye was used to label the heart equator and to demarcate the left and right ventricle free walls. Two hearts were used for three-dimensional diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging, to quantify the fractional anisotropy (FA). The remaining hearts were used for two-photon excited fluorescence and second-harmonic generation microscopy, to quantify the cardiomyocyte and collagen fibril structures within the anterior and posterior aspects of the right and left ventricles. FA varied significantly across both ventricles, with the greatest in the equatorial region, followed by the base and apex. The FA in each right ventricular region was statistically greater than that in the left. Cardiomyocyte and collagen fibre rotation was greatest in the anterior wall of both ventricles, with less dispersion when compared to the posterior walls. In defining these key parameters, this study provides a valuable insight into the 1-day-old heart that will provide a valuable platform for further investigation the normal and abnormal heart using mathematical and computational models.

Intravital Multiphoton Imaging of the Kidney: Tubular Structure and Metabolism

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) allows the visualization of dynamic pathophysiological events in real time in live animals. Intravital imaging can be applied to investigate novel mechanisms and treatments of different forms of kidney disease as well as improve our understanding of normal kidney physiology. Using rodent models, in conjunction with endogenous fluorescence and infused exogenous fluorescent dyes, measurement can be made of renal processes such as glomerular permeability, juxtaglomerular apparatus function, interactions of the tubulointerstitium, tubulovascular interactions, vascular flow rate, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Subcellular processes including mitochondrial dynamics, reactive oxygen species production, cytosolic ion concentrations, and death processes of apoptosis and necrosis can also be seen and measured by MPM. The current methods chapter presents an overview of MPM with a focus on techniques for intravital kidney imaging and gives examples of instances where intravital MPM has been utilized to study renal pathophysiology. Suggestions are provided for MPM methods within the confines of intravital microscopy and selected kidney structure. MPM is undoubtedly a powerful new technique for application in experimental nephrology, and we believe it will continue to create new paradigms for understanding and treating kidney disease.

Up-converted fluorescence from photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes linearly dependent on excitation intensity

Weak up-converted fluorescence related to bacteriochlorophyll a was recorded from various detergent-isolated and membrane-embedded light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes as well as from the functional membranes of photosynthetic purple bacteria under continuous-wave infrared laser excitation at 1064 nm, far outside the optically allowed singlet absorption bands of the chromophore. The fluorescence increases linearly with the excitation power, distinguishing it from the previously observed two-photon excited fluorescence upon femtosecond pulse excitation. Possible mechanisms of this excitation are discussed.

Two-photon excitation of a phytofluor protein

Phytofluors are highly fluorescent proteins in which the chromophore in a phytochrome is replaced with phycoerythrobilin (PEB), the pigment precursor of the cyanobacterial light harvesting protein phycoerythrin. We examined the fluorescence spectra of the N-terminal region of the cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 from cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Pcc 6803 bound to PEB. This protein, Cph1(N514)-PEB, displayed a good two-photon cross-section of 20-30 GM for excitation at 792 nm. This phytofluor also exhibits a high fundamental anisotropy at most practical two-photon excitation (2PE) wavelengths from 700 to 900 nm. Identical lifetimes and correlation times with one and 2PE indicates that the phytofluor is not adversely affected by the intensities needed for 2PE. The one-photon absorption extends well beyond the absorption spectrum and even beyond the emission spectrum to 700 nm. The phytofluor thus appears to be a suitable probe for 2PE and/or cellular imaging.