Redox-responsive nanoparticles with Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) characteristic for fluorescence imaging.
The redox environment between intracellular compartments and extracellular matrix is significantly different, and the cellular redox homeostasis determines many physiological functions. Here, redox-responsive nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic for fluorescence imaging are developed by encapsulation of fluorophore with redox "turn-on" AIE characteristic, TPE-MI, into the micelles of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- and cholesterol (CE)-conjugated disulfide containing poly(amido amine)s. The redox-responsive fluorescence profiles of the nanoparticles are investigated after reaction with glutathione (GSH). The encapsulation of TPE-MI in micelles leads to a higher efficiency and red shift in emission, and the fluorescence intensity of the nanoparticles increases with the concentration of GSH. Confocal microscopy imaging shows that the nanoparticles can provide obvious contrast between the intracellular compartments and the extracellular matrix in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. So the nanoparticles with PEG shells and low cytotoxicity are promising to provide fluorescence bioimaging with a high contrast and for differentiation of cellular redox environment.
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR 3 Research Link, Singapore, 117602.
Weiren
W
Cheng
Guan
G
Wang
Xiaoyong
X
Pan
Yong
Y
Zhang
Ben Zhong
BZ
Tang
Ye
Y
Liu
D005978:Glutathione / Q000737:chemistry; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry*; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008823:Micelles; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D008823:Micelles; D005978:Glutathione
aggregation-induced emission; fluorescence; nanoparticles; poly(amido amine)s; redox polymers