Activatable fluorescent probes for imaging and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a systemic autoimmune disease that is primarily manifested as synovitis and polyarticular opacity and typically leads to serious joint damage and irreversible disability,thus adversely affecting locomotion ability and life quality.Consequently,good prognosis heavily relies on the early diagnosis and effective therapeutic monitoring of RA.Activatable fluorescent probes play vital roles in the detection and imaging of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and in vivo imaging.Herein,we review the fluorescent probes developed for the detection and imaging of RA biomarkers,namely reactive oxygen/nitrogen species(hypochlorous acid,peroxynitrite,hydroxyl radical,nitroxyl),pH,and cysteine,and address the related challenges and prospects to inspire the design of novel fluorescent probes and the improvement of their performance in RA studies.

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypoxanthine detection in aquatic products based on the enzyme mimics and fluorescence of cobalt-doped carbon nitride

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypoxanthine(Hx)detection was established based on the mimic enzyme and fluorescence characteristics of cobalt-doped graphite-phase carbon nitride(Co doped g-C_(3)N_(4)).In addition to emitting strong fluorescence,the peroxidase activity of Co doped g-C_(3)N_(4)can catalyze the reaction of O-phenylenediamine and H_(2)O_(2)to produce diallyl phthalate which can emit yellow fluorescence at 570 nm.Through the decomposition of Hx by xanthine oxidase,Hx can be indirectly detected by the generating hydrogen peroxide based on the measurement of fluorescent ratio I(F_(570)/F_(370)).The linear range was 1.7-272.2 mg/kg(R^(2)=0.997),and the detection limit was 1.52 mg/kg(3σ/K,n=9).The established method was applied to Hx detection in bass,grass carp,and shrimp,and the data were verified by HPLC.The result shows that the established probe is sensitive,accurate,and reliable,and can be used for Hx detection in aquatic products.

A highly sensitive fluorescent probe RN-NA reveals peroxynitrite as a novel biomarker for primary open angle glaucoma

AIM:To directly quantify peroxynitrite(ONOO-)using a highly sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe RN-NA,investigate the association between ONOOand primary open angle glaucoma(POAG),and clarify whether RN-NA could be used as a potential tool for POAG diagnosis.METHODS:Plasma and aqueous humor(AH)samples were collected from POAG patients(n=100,age:59.70±6.87y)and age-related cataract(ARC)patients(n=100,age:61.15±4.60y)admitted to our hospital.Next,RN-NA was used to detect ONOO-in plasma and AH samples,and the relationship between ONOO-level and POAG was analyzed using binary logistic regression.Besides,Pearson correlation analysis was applied to characterize the correlation of the levels of ONOO-with the patients’age,intraocular pressure(IOP),and mean deviation of visual field testing.The ONOO-scavenger MnTMPyP was employed to treat the 3-morpholinosyndnomine(SIN-1)-induced ocular hypertension in mice(n=7,6-8wk).Finally,the IOP and ONOO-in both eyes were measured 30min after the last drug treatment.RESULTS:ONOO-levels of AH and plasma were significantly higher in the POAG group than in the ARC group(P<0.01).Additionally,ONOO-levels were closely correlated with POAG in a binary logistic regression analysis[odds ratio(OR)=1.008,95%confidence interval(CI):1.002-1.013,P<0.01 for AH;OR=1.004,95%CI:1.002-1.006,P<0.001 for plasma].Pearson correlation analysis showed that ONOO-levels in AH or plasma were positively associated with visual field defects(R=0.51,P<0.01 for AH;R=0.45,P<0.001 for plasma),and ONOO-levels in plasma and AH were correlated in the POAG group(R=0.69,P<0.001).However,administering MnTMPyP to mouse eyes reversed the elevated IOP caused by SIN-1(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:ONOO-levels in AH and plasma,detected by RN-NA,are significantly related to POAG and positively correlated with visual field defects in POAG patients.Hence,ONOO-is a potential biomarker of POAG,especially advanced POAG.Besides,anti-nitration compounds may be novel ocular hypotensive agents based on the animal study.

A Fluorescent Probe based on a Carbazole Derivative for Detecting Brilliant Blue in Food

Here a fluorescent probe based on a carbazole derivative(CNS)was developed to increase the detection range and reduce the detection limit of brilliant blue.Characteristics of CNS are studied.Due to the quenching ability of colorants,CNS shows an excellent current response to brilliant blue(from 1 to 10μM)with a detection limit of 2.7×10^(-8)mol/L(3σ/k)in the conditions of a 1:1 volume ratio of water to tetrahydrofuran.And the stability and reproducibility of CNS in the detection of actual samples indicate great potential for application.

Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots:A Novel Fluorescent Probe for Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide and Mercury Detection

The mercury species in the ocean(MeHg,Hg^(2+))will be enriched in marine organisms and threaten human health through the food chain.While the excessive H_(2)O_(2)in the metabolic process will produce hydroxyl radicals and accelerate the aging of human cells,causing a series of diseases.Hence,the cost-effective and rapid detection of mercury and H_(2)O_(2)is of urgent requirement and significance.Here,we synthesized emerging graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots(g-CNQDs)with high fluorescence quantum yield(FLQY)of 42.69%via a bottom-up strategy by a facile one-step hydrothermal method.The g-CNQDs can detect the H_(2)O_(2)and Hg^(2+)through the fluorescence quenching effect between g-CNQDs and detected substances.With the presence of KI,g-CNQDs show concentration-dependent fluorescence toward H_(2)O_(2),with a wide detection range of 1–1000μmolL^(-1)and a low detection limit of 0.23μmolL^(-1).The g-CNQDs also show sensitivity toward Hg^(2+)with a detection range of 0–0.1μmolL^(-1)and a detection limit of 0.038μmolL^(-1).This dual-function detection of g-CNQDs has better practical application capability compared to other quantum dot detection.This study may provide a new strategy for g-CNQDs preparation and construct a fluorescence probe that can be used in various systems involving H_(2)O_(2)and Hg^(2+),providing better support for future bifunctional or multifunction studies.

Determination of Pesticide Residue Cartap Using a Sensitive Fluorescent Probe

The insecticide cartap （CP） is non-fluorescent in aqueous solutions. This property makes its determination through direct fluorescent method difficult. In acidic medium and at room temperature, palmatine （PAL） can react with cucurbit[7]uril （CB[7]） to form stable complexes, and the fluorescence intensity of the complex is greatly enhanced. Significant quenching of the fluorescence intensity of the CB[7]-PAL complex was observed with the addition of cartap. Based on the significant quenching of the supramolecular complex fluorescence intensity, a new spectrofluorimetric method with high sensitivity and selectivity was developed to determine cartap in aqueous solution. The fluorescence quenching values （AF） showed good linear relationship with cartap concentrations from 0.009 to 2.4 ~tg mL-~ with a detection limit 0.0029 ~tg mE-x. The proposed method had been successfully applied to the determination of cartap residues in grain and vegetable with recoveries of 87.4-103%. In addition, the association constants of the complexes formed between the host and the guest were determined. The competing reaction and the supramolecular interaction mechanisms between the cartap and PAL as they fight for occupancy of the CB[7] cavity were studied using spectrofluorimetry, xH NMR and molecular modeling calculations.

Hydroxylated graphene quantum dots as fluorescent probes for sensitive detection of metal ions

Highly sensitive methods are important for monitoring the concentration of metal ions in industrial wastewater.Here,we developed a new probe for the determination of metal ions by fluorescence quenching.The probe consists of hydroxylated graphene quantum dots(H-GQDs),prepared from GQDs by electrochemical method followed by surface hydroxylation.It is a non-reactive indicator with high sensitivity and detection limits of 0.01μM for Cu2+,0.005μM for Al3+,0.04μM for Fe3+,and 0.02μM for Cr3+.In addition,the low biotoxicity and excellent solubility of H-GQDs make them promising for application in wastewater metal ion detection.

A pyrene-based ratiometric fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for selective detection of hydrogen peroxide in living cells

Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)plays a significant role in regulating a variety of biological processes.Dysregulation of H2O2 can lead to various diseases.Although numerous fluorescent imaging probes for H2O2 have been reported,the development of H2O2 ratiometric fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift remains rather limited.Such probes have shown distinct advantages,such as minimized interference from environment and improved signal-to noise ratio.In this work,we reported a new pyrene-based compound Py-VPB as H2O2 fluorescent probe in vitro.The probe demonstrated ratiometric detection behavior,large Stokes shift and large emission shift.In addition,the probe showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards H2O2 in vitro.Based on these excellent properties,we successfully applied Py-VPB to the visualization of exogenous and endogenous H2O2 in living cells.Cell imaging study also showed that our probe was localized in the mitochondria.We envision that the probe can provide a useful tool for unmasking the biological roles of mitochondrial H2O2 in living systems.

Responsive mechanism and coordination mode effect of a bipyridine-based two-photon fluorescent probe for zinc ion

The properties of one-photon absorption(OPA),emission and two-photon absorption(TPA)of a bipyridine-based zinc ion probe are investigated employing the density functional theory in combination with response functions.The responsive mechanism and coordination mode effect are explored.The structural fluctuation is illustrated by molecular dynamics simulation.The calculated OPA and emission wavelengths of the probe are consistent with the experimental data.It is found that the red-shift of OPA wavelength and the enhancement of TPA intensity are induced by the increased intra-molecular charge transfer mechanism upon metal binding.The structural fluctuation could result in the blue-shift of TPA wavelength and the decrease of the TPA cross section.The TPA properties are quite different among the zinc complexes with different coordination modes.The TPA wavelength of the complexes with two ligands is close to that of the probe,which is in agreement with the experimental observation.

A Novel Fluorescent Probe for Lead Ions

A new fluorescent probe for lead ions,p-nitrophenyl 3H-phenoxazin-3-one-7-yl phosphoric acid (NPPA), has been synthesized by linking resorufin (serving as a fluorophore and electron acceptor) to p-nitrophenol (serving as a fluorescence quencher and electron donor) through phosphodiester bonds. When NPPA was irradiated with light, intramolecular fluorescence self-quenching took place due to the PET (photoinduced electron transfer) from the donor to the acceptor. However, upon addition of PbII, the phosphate ester bonds in the probe were cleaved and the fluorophore was released, accompanying the retrievement of fluorescence.

Synthesis of 3-hydroxyflavone fluorescent probes and study of their fluorescence properties

Direct measurement of dipole potential in biological membranes has been impossible and 3-hydroxyflavones(3HFs) have allowed detection of changes in dipole potential in biological systems.In the present study,sixteen derivatives of 3HF with aliphatic hydrocarbon chains of different lengths at 4′-position and 6-position were synthesized.The basic fluorescence properties of 3HFs are maintained in all the probes in terms of strong blue shift in maximum fluorescence emission wavelength and>100 fold increase in quantum yield in organic solvents and in dioleoylphosphatidylcholine(DOPC) small unilamellar vesicles(SUV) in comparison to in aqueous Hepes buffer(15 mmol/L,pH 7.4).More importantly,the ability of the new compounds to report dipole potential changes in biological systems are also maintained,since all the new probes showed spectrum properties that are similar to yet different from that of F4N1,which potentially may allow more sensitive measurement of the dipole potential change in membranes.

STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION OF A NEW POLYORGANOSILOXANE CONTAINING NANOTUBULAR CAVITIES USING ORGANIC FLUORESCENT PROBES

Fluorescent molecules - p-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) and trans-stilbene (TSB ) - were used as probes to investigate the inner structure of the nanotubular cavities contained in a new polyorganosiloxane (POS) which was prepared by the hydrosilylation coupling reaction of cis-isotactic ladderlike polyvinylsilsesquioxane (Vi-T) with 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (H-MM) as coupling agent in the presence of catalyst dicyclopentadienyldichloroplatinum (Cp2PtCl2). The results from FTIR spectra and fluorescence spectra in combination with molecular simulation reveal that the cross-section of the nanotubular cavity is nearly rectangular in shape, and is about 0.62 nm in width and about 0.38 nm in height. This work gains in-depth knowledge into the inner structure of the nanotubular cavities of POS and furthermore provides a guide to the selection of proper guest molecules in constructing functional supramolecular clathrate based upon POS.

Imaging Escherichia coli using streptavidin functionalized quantum dots as a Nano-fluorescent probe

It is extremely important for bacteria detection in many fields,such as medical diagnosis and food safety.In this paper,streptavidin functionalized quantum dots(SA-QDs),as a nano-fluorescent probe,were used to attach with Escherichia coli(E.coli) for the detection and identification of bacteria with immunoreactions and biotin-streptavidin affinity.Fluorescent images of the bacteria and the fluorescence intensity were used to evaluate the conjugation effect with different incubation time.Our results showed that 20 min is a reasonable incubation time for the SA-QDs coupling to E.coli cells.The fluorescent images,which produce a greatly amplified and enhanced signal of E.coli cells,were obtained through the immunological amplification and fluorescent probe enrichment steps.In addition,the bleaching process of SA-QDs without any encapsulation at room temperature was clearly observed during 10 min of being excited.Our work provided a modularized sample treatment method using SA-QDs as a nano-fluorescent probe in cellular imaging and bio-labeling.

Interaction between a novel intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent probe PFEP and human serum albumin

The interaction mechanism between human serum albumin(HSA) and 1-phenyl-3(fluorenone-2-yl)-5-(9-ethylcarbazole-3-yl)-2- pyrazoline(PFEP) was investigated by fluorescence and absorption titration techniques in combination with molecular modeling method.Stern-Volmer plots at different temperatures proved that PFEP could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA attributed to a static quenching procedure.The association constants were calculated in the range of 1×10~5-8×10~5mol^(-1) at different pH conditions,a...

Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Novel Sulfhydryl-reactive Benzimidazole Fluorescent Probes

Three sulfhydryl-reactive fluorescent probes, which contain 2-（1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl）-phenol and maleimide group, were synthesized and their structures were characterized by IR and ^1H NMR. Their photo-physical properties and the specificity to sulfhydryl group in the 2-mercapto-ethanol as well as the L-cysteine adducts were indicated by fluorescence intensity. Preliminary tests revealed that the probes could react selectively with the cysteine molecules, suggesting that these probes might be generally useful in biomedical researches.

Highly Sensitive Acidic pH Fluorescent Probe Based on A Boradiaza-indacene Derivative

A pH-sensor with a pKa value of 5.05 based on 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene（BODIPY） dye was synthesized and demonstrated to be highly sensitive within a pH range of 4.0--6.0 and was highly photostable, which makes it a potential pH fluorescent probe. The new pH-sensor will find its application in studying acidic organelles in living cells.

Responsive mechanism and molecular design of di-2-picolylamine-based two-photon fluorescent probes for zinc ions

The properties of one-photon absorption（OPA）, emission and two-photon absorption（TPA） of a di-2-picolylaminebased zinc ion sensor are investigated by employing the density functional theory in combination with response functions.The responsive mechanism is explored. It is found that the calculated OPA and TPA properties are quite consistent with experimental data. Because the intra-molecular charge transfer（ICT） increases upon zinc ion binding, the TPA intensity is enhanced dramatically. According to the model sensor, we design a series of zinc ion probes which differ by conjugation center, acceptor and donor moieties. The properties of OPA, emission and TPA of the designed molecules are calculated at the same computational level. Our results demonstrate that the OPA and emission wavelengths of the designed probes have large red-shifts after zinc ions have been bound. Comparing with the model sensor, the TPA intensities of the designed probes are enhanced significantly and the absorption positions are red-shifted to longer wavelength range. Furthermore, the TPA intensity can be improved greatly upon zinc ion binding due to the increased ICT mechanism. These compounds are potential excellent candidates for two-photon fluorescent zinc ion probes.

Evaluation of a resoruf in-based fluorescent probe for tyrosinase detection in skin pigmentation disorders

Purpose Skin pigmentation disorders,such as vitiligo and melasma,are difficult to diagnose in the early stages,but abnor-mal tyrosinase levels and tyrosinase activity are potential indicators.Some resorufin-based fluorescence probes(RBFPs)have been designed to detect tyrosinase in tumors,but they have not been used in skin pigmentation disorders.In this study,one of these RBFPs(synthesized by resorufin salt coupled with 3-(bromomethyl)phenol)was evaluated comprehensively.Methods The RBFP was tested in different kinds of mouse and human skin cells,as well as in in vivo models,including zebrafish,guinea pigs,and Sprague-Dawley rats.In addition,small interfering RNAs(siRNAs),kojic acid,and 1-phenyl-2-thiourea(PTU)were used to inhibit tyrosinase levels or tyrosinase activity.Results This probe successfully detected tyrosinase and emitted red fluorescence in melanoma cells and melanocytes.Fluorescence was also observable in zebrafish and on the skin of guinea pigs when using the RBFP.In mouse and human cells,the RBFP showed good selectivity to tyrosinase.Moreover,in the case of decreased tyrosinase levels or activity caused by siRNAs,kojic acid,or PTU,the probe was sensitive to these changes.Further,the RBFP showed no toxic effects at concentrations of<20μmol/L,both in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions Our findings indicate the value and limitations of the RBFP in tyrosinase detection,but suggest the need for further improvement of fluorescent probes in the diagnosis of skin pigmentation disorders.