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Dukhno O, Ghosh S, Greiner V, Bou S, Godet J, Muhr V, Buchner M, Hirsch T, Mély Y, Przybilla F. Targeted Single Particle Tracking with Upconverting Nanoparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:11217-11227. [PMID: 38386424 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Single particle tracking (SPT) is a powerful technique for real-time microscopic visualization of the movement of individual biomolecules within or on the surface of living cells. However, SPT often suffers from the suboptimal performance of the photon-emitting labels used to tag the biomolecules of interest. For example, fluorescent dyes have poor photostability, while quantum dots suffer from blinking that hampers track acquisition and interpretation. Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have recently emerged as a promising anti-Stokes luminescent label for SPT. In this work, we demonstrated targeted SPT using UCNPs. For this, we synthesized 30 nm diameter doped UCNPs and coated them with amphiphilic polymers decorated with polyethylene glycol chains to make them water-dispersible and minimize their nonspecific interactions with cells. Coated UCNPs highly homogeneous in brightness (as confirmed by a single particle investigation) were functionalized by immunoglobulin E (IgE) using a biotin-streptavidin strategy. Using these IgE-UCNP SPT labels, we tracked high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRI) on the membrane of living RBL-2H3 mast cells at 37 °C in the presence and absence of antigen and obtained good agreement with the literature. Moreover, we used the FcεRI-IgE receptor-antibody system to directly compare the performance of UCNP-based SPT labels to organic dyes (AlexaFluor647) and quantum dots (QD655). Due to their photostability as well as their backgroundless and continuous luminescence, SPT trajectories obtained with UCNP labels are no longer limited by the photophysics of the label but only by the dynamics of the system and, in particular, the movement of the label out of the field of view and/or focal plane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Dukhno
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Srijayee Ghosh
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Vanille Greiner
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Sophie Bou
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Julien Godet
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
- IMAGeS team at ICube, UMR 7357, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Verena Muhr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Buchner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirsch
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Yves Mély
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Frédéric Przybilla
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
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Buchner M, García Calavia P, Muhr V, Kröninger A, Baeumner AJ, Hirsch T, Russell DA, Marín MJ. Photosensitiser functionalised luminescent upconverting nanoparticles for efficient photodynamic therapy of breast cancer cells. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2019; 18:98-109. [DOI: 10.1039/c8pp00354h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rose Bengal functionalised upconverting nanoparticles produce singlet oxygen via efficient FRET following NIR excitation and have been used for the photodynamic therapy treatment of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Buchner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemo- and Biosensors
- University of Regensburg
- 93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | | | - Verena Muhr
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemo- and Biosensors
- University of Regensburg
- 93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - Anna Kröninger
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemo- and Biosensors
- University of Regensburg
- 93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - Antje J. Baeumner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemo- and Biosensors
- University of Regensburg
- 93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - Thomas Hirsch
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemo- and Biosensors
- University of Regensburg
- 93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - David A. Russell
- School of Chemistry
- University of East Anglia
- Norwich Research Park
- Norwich
- UK
| | - María J. Marín
- School of Chemistry
- University of East Anglia
- Norwich Research Park
- Norwich
- UK
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Dukhno O, Przybilla F, Muhr V, Buchner M, Hirsch T, Mély Y. Time-dependent luminescence loss for individual upconversion nanoparticles upon dilution in aqueous solution. Nanoscale 2018; 10:15904-15910. [PMID: 30106079 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr03892a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Single-particle luminescence microscopy is a powerful method to extract information on biological systems that is not accessible by ensemble-level methods. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are a particularly promising luminophore for single-particle microscopy as they provide stable, non-blinking luminescence and allow the avoidance of biological autofluorescence by their anti-Stokes emission. Recently, ensemble measurements of diluted aqueous dispersions of UCNPs have shown the instability of luminescence over time due to particle dissolution-related effects. This can be especially detrimental for single-particle experiments. However, this effect has never been estimated at the individual particle level. Here, the luminescence response of individual UCNPs under aqueous conditions is investigated by quantitative wide-field microscopy. The particles exhibit a rapid luminescence loss, accompanied by large changes in spectral response, leading to a considerable heterogeneity in their luminescence and band intensity ratio. Moreover, the dissolution-caused intensity loss is not correlated with the initial particle intensity or band ratio, which makes it virtually unpredictable. These effects and the subsequent development of their heterogeneity can be largely slowed down by adding millimolar concentrations of sodium fluoride in buffer. As a consequence, the presented data indicate that microscopy experiments employing UCNPs in an aqueous environment should be performed under conditions that carefully prevent these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Dukhno
- Laboratory of Biomaging and Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Dukhno O, Przybilla F, Collot M, Klymchenko A, Pivovarenko V, Buchner M, Muhr V, Hirsch T, Mély Y. Quantitative assessment of energy transfer in upconverting nanoparticles grafted with organic dyes. Nanoscale 2017; 9:11994-12004. [PMID: 28795714 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr09706e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are luminophores that have been investigated for a multitude of biological applications, notably low-background imaging, high-sensitivity assays, and cancer theranostics. In these applications, they are frequently used as a donor in resonance energy transfer (RET) pairs. However, because of the peculiarity and non-linearity of their luminescence mechanism, their behavior as a RET pair component has been difficult to predict quantitatively, preventing their optimization for subsequent applications. In this article, we assembled UCNP-organic dye RET systems and investigated their luminescence decays and spectra, with varying UCNP sizes and quantities of dyes grafted onto their surface. We observed an increase in RET efficiency with lower particle sizes and higher dye decoration. We also observed several unexpected effects, notably a quenching of UCNP luminescence bands that are not resonant with the absorption of organic dyes. We proposed a semi-empirical Monte Carlo model for predicting the behavior of UCNP-organic dye systems, and validated it by comparison with our experimental data. These findings will be useful for the development of more accurate UCNP-based assays, sensors, and imaging agents, as well as for optimization of UCNP-organic dye RET systems employed in cancer treatment and theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Dukhno
- Laboratory of Biophotonics and Pharmacology, UMR 7213 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Muhr V, Würth C, Kraft M, Buchner M, Baeumner AJ, Resch-Genger U, Hirsch T. Particle-Size-Dependent Förster Resonance Energy Transfer from Upconversion Nanoparticles to Organic Dyes. Anal Chem 2017; 89:4868-4874. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b04662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Muhr
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Würth
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.10 Biophotonics, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Kraft
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.10 Biophotonics, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Buchner
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antje J. Baeumner
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ute Resch-Genger
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.10 Biophotonics, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirsch
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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Sedlmeier A, Hlaváček A, Birner L, Mickert MJ, Muhr V, Hirsch T, Corstjens PLAM, Tanke HJ, Soukka T, Gorris HH. Highly Sensitive Laser Scanning of Photon-Upconverting Nanoparticles on a Macroscopic Scale. Anal Chem 2016; 88:1835-41. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b04147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sedlmeier
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antonín Hlaváček
- Central
European Institute of Technology
(CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Birner
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias J. Mickert
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Verena Muhr
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirsch
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department
of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J. Tanke
- Department
of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tero Soukka
- Department
of Biochemistry/Biotechnology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Hans H. Gorris
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- und Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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Wilhelm S, Kaiser M, Würth C, Heiland J, Carrillo-Carrion C, Muhr V, Wolfbeis OS, Parak WJ, Resch-Genger U, Hirsch T. Water dispersible upconverting nanoparticles: effects of surface modification on their luminescence and colloidal stability. Nanoscale 2015; 7:1403-10. [PMID: 25503253 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05954a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We present a systematic study on the effect of surface ligands on the luminescence properties and colloidal stability of β-NaYF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+) upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), comparing nine different surface coatings to render these UCNPs water-dispersible and bioconjugatable. A prerequisite for this study was a large-scale synthetic method that yields ∼2 g per batch of monodisperse oleate-capped UCNPs providing identical core particles. These ∼23 nm sized UCNPs display an upconversion quantum yield of ∼0.35% when dispersed in cyclohexane and excited with a power density of 150 W cm(-2), underlining their high quality. A comparison of the colloidal stability and luminescence properties of these UCNPs, subsequently surface modified with ligand exchange or encapsulation protocols, revealed that the ratio of the green (545 nm) and red (658 nm) emission bands determined at a constant excitation power density clearly depends on the surface chemistry. Modifications relying on the deposition of additional (amphiphilic) layer coatings, where the initial oleate coating is retained, show reduced non-radiative quenching by water as compared to UCNPs that are rendered water-dispersible via ligand exchange. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the brightness of the upconversion luminescence of the UCNPs is strongly affected by the type of surface modification, i.e., ligand exchange or encapsulation, yet hardly by the chemical nature of the ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wilhelm
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany.
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Abstract
CONSPECTUS: Photon upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have emerged as a promising new class of nanomaterials due to their ability to convert near-IR light into visible luminescence. Unfortunately, most efficient methods for preparing UCNPs yield hydrophobic materials, but water-dispersibility is needed in the major fields of applications of UCNPs, that is, in bioimaging, labeling, and bioassays. Numerous methods therefore have been reported in the past years to convert the hydrophobic surface of UCNPs to a more hydrophilic one so to render them dispersible in aqueous systems. We present a classification respective for these strategies and assess the main methods. These include (A) chemical modification of the hydrophobic (typically oleate) ligand on the surface, (B) addition of an extra layer, (C) addition of a thin shell on top of the UCNP, and (D) complete replacement of the original ligand by another one. Chemical modification (A) involves oxidation of the oleate or oleylamine and leads to particles with terminal oxygen functions. This method is less often used because solutions of the resulting UCNPs in water have limited colloidal stability, protocols are time-consuming and often give low yields, and only a limited number of functional groups can be introduced. Methods B and C involve coating of UCNPs with amphiphiles or with shells made from silica oxide, titanium oxide, or metallic gold or silver. These methods are quite versatile in terms of further modifications, for example, by further cross-linking or by applying thiol-gold chemistry. Growing an extra shell is, however, often accompanied by a higher polydispersity. Method D can be divided into subgroups based on either (i) the direct (single-step) replacement of the native ligand by a new ligand or (ii) two-step protocols using nitrosyltetrafluoroborate (NOBF4) or strong acids as reagents to produce ligand-free UCNPs prior to the attachment of a new ligand. These methods are simple and versatile, and the distance between the new ligand and the luminescent particle can be well controlled. However, the particles often have limited stability in buffer systems. The methods described also are of wider interest because they are likely to be applicable to other kinds of nanomaterials. We additionally address the need for (a) a better control of particle size and homogeneity during synthesis, (b) more reproducible methods for surface loading and modification, (c) synthetic methods giving higher yields of UCNPs, (d) materials displaying higher quantum yields in water solution without the need for tedious surface modifications, (e) improved methods for workup (including the suppression of aggregation), (f) new methods for surface characterization, and (g) more affordable reagents for use in surface modification. It is noted that most synthetic research in the area is of the trial-and-error kind, presumably due to the lack of understanding of the mechanisms causing current limitations. Finally, all particles are discussed in terms of their biocompatibility (as far as data are available), which is quintessential in terms of imaging, the largest field of application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Muhr
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wilhelm
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirsch
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Otto S. Wolfbeis
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry,
Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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