In Vivo Dynamic Monitoring of Small Molecules with Implantable Polymer-Dot Transducer.
Small molecules participate extensively in various life processes. However, specific and sensitive detection of small molecules in a living system is highly challenging. Here, we describe in vivo real-time dynamic monitoring of small molecules by a luminescent polymer-dot oxygen transducer. The optical transducer combined with an oxygen-consuming enzyme can sensitively detect small-molecule substrates as the enzyme-catalyzed reaction depletes its internal oxygen reservoir in the presence of small molecules. We exemplify this detection strategy by using glucose-oxidase-functionalized polymer dots, yielding high selectivity, large dynamic range, and reversible glucose detection in cell and tissue environments. The transducer-enzyme assembly after subcutaneous implantation provides a strong luminescence signal that is transdermally detectable and continuously responsive to blood glucose fluctuations for up to 30 days. In view of a large library of oxygen-consuming enzymes, this strategy is promising for in vivo detection and quantitative determination of a variety of small molecules.
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Kai
K
Sun
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Ying
Y
Tang
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Qiong
Q
Li
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Shengyan
S
Yin
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Weiping
W
Qin
Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
Jiangbo
J
Yu
Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
Daniel T
DT
Chiu
Bioimaging Core, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau , Taipa, Macau SAR China.
Yubin
Y
Liu
Bioimaging Core, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau , Taipa, Macau SAR China.
Zhen
Z
Yuan
Bioimaging Core, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau , Taipa, Macau SAR China.
Xuanjun
X
Zhang
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University , Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
Changfeng
C
Wu
dynamic monitoring; fluorescent nanoparticle; in vivo imaging; semiconductor polymer dots; small molecule