Persistent luminescence is an optical phenomenon where solid phosphors can store photoenergy in defects and release the energy by luminescence after stopping excitation. Due to the intriguing optical characteristics, the defect luminescence based persistent phosphors have attracted enormous attention in recent decades, especially in biomedical fields such as biosensing and bioimaging. Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) can effectively avoid the autofluorescence interference from complex samples or tissues, leading to significantly improved sensitivity in biological analysis. In this review, we summarized the methods to control the optical performance of PLNPs from the perspectives of controlled synthesis and defect regulation, and emphasized the close relationship between their optical performance and applications. We further provided a summary about a series of PLNPs nanoprobes designed by our group for biosensing and bioimaging. Our efforts, summarized in this review, will not only open a window for manipulating luminescence in PLNPs, but also further promote the application of PLNPs in biomedicine. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?Synthesis and bioapplications of persistent phosphors.How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?I got into chemistry related to biomedicine during my graduate student period. The research situation of luminescent nanomaterials in China has a strong effect on me, inspiring me to pursuit new luminescent nanomaterials and their applications.We need have interest and concentrate on our research with passion. We are encouraged to work hard.What is the most important personality for scientific research?Curiosity and hard‐working.What are your hobbies? What's your favorite book(s)?Shopping and reading books. My favorite books are novels, such as “The Three‐Body Problem”.How do you keep balance between research and family?I have two boys and it takes me much time to take care of them. I need to elevate my work efficiency and work hard. I also buy household service to save time.Who influences you mostly in your life?My father. He loves reading and writing. I know one need to have passion on something under my father's influence.
Regulation of cellular oxidative stress plays a critical role in revealing the molecular mechanisms of cellular activities and thus is a potential strategy for tumor treatment. Optical methods have been employed for intelligent regulation of oxidative stress in tumor regions. However, long-time continuous irradiation inevitably causes damage to normal tissues. Herein, a ferrocene-containing nucleic acid-based energy-storage nanoagent was designed to achieve the continuous photo-regulation of cellular oxidative stress in the dark. Specifically, the photoenergy stored in the agent could convert effectively and accelerate Fenton-like reaction continuously, augmenting cellular oxidative stress. This nanoagent could also silence oxidative damage repair genes to further amplify oxidative stress. This strategy not only provides oxidative stress regulation for studying the molecular mechanisms of biological activities, but also offers a promising step toward tumor microenvironment modulation.
Long‐term accumulation of adenosine (Ado) in tumor tissues helps to establish the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and to promote tumor development. Regulation of Ado metabolism is particularly pivotal for blocking Ado‐mediated immunosuppression. The activity of adenosine kinase (ADK) for catalyzing the phosphorylation of Ado plays an essential role in regulating Ado metabolism. Specifically, accumulated Ado in the tumor microenvironment occupies the active site of ADK, inhibiting the phosphorylation of Ado. Phosphate can protect ADK from inactivation and restore the activity of ADK. Herein, calcium phosphate‐reinforced iron‐based metal‐organic frameworks (CaP@Fe‐MOFs) are designed to reduce Ado accumulation and to inhibit Ado‐mediated immunosuppressive response in the tumor microenvironment. CaP@Fe‐MOFs are found to regulate the Ado metabolism by promoting ADK‐mediated phosphorylation and relieving the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Moreover, CaP@Fe‐MOFs can enhance the antitumor immune response via Ado regulation, including the increase of T lymphocytes and dendritic cells and the decrease of regulatory T lymphocytes. Finally, CaP@Fe‐MOFs are used for cancer treatment in mice, alleviating the Ado‐mediated immunosuppressive response and achieving tumor suppression. This study may offer a general strategy for blocking the Ado‐mediated immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and further for enhancing the immunotherapy efficacy in vivo.
In vivo electron transfer processes are closely related to the activation of signaling pathways, and, thus, affect various life processes. Indeed, the signaling pathway activation of key molecules may be associated with certain diseases. For example, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Hence, monitoring the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways can help reveal the progression of tumor development. However, it is challenging for current detection methods to monitor the activation of specific signaling pathways in complex biochemical reactions. Here we designed a highly sensitive and specific nanoprobe that enables in vivo imaging of electronic transfer over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. By using the ferrocene-DNA polymer “wire”, the electrons transferred in a biochemical reaction can flow to persistent luminescent nanoparticles and change their electron distribution, thereby altering the optical signal of the particles. This electron transfer-triggered imaging probe enables mapping the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways in a temporally and spatially precise manner. By offering precise visualization of signaling activity, this approach may offer a general platform not only for understanding molecular mechanisms in various biological processes but also for promoting disease therapies and drug evaluation.
As a carrier of genetic information, DNA is a versatile module for fabricating nanostructures and nanodevices. Functional molecules could be integrated into DNA by precise base complementary pairing, greatly expanding the functions of DNA nanomaterials. These functions endow DNA nanomaterials with great potential in the application of biomedical field. In recent years, functional DNA nanomaterials have been rapidly investigated and perfected. There have been reviews that classified DNA nanomaterials from the perspective of functions, while this review primarily focuses on the preparation methods of functional DNA nanomaterials. This review comprehensively introduces the preparation methods of DNA nanomaterials with functions such as molecular recognition, nanozyme catalysis, drug delivery, and biomedical material templates. Then, the latest application progress of functional DNA nanomaterials is systematically reviewed. Finally, current challenges and future prospects for functional DNA nanomaterials are discussed.
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