No abstract

A facile, economic and green one-step hydrothermal synthesis route using dopamine as source towards photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) is proposed. The as-prepared CNPs have an average size about 3.8 nm. The emission spectra of the CNPs are broad, ranging from approximately 380 (purple) to approximately 525 nm (green), depending on the excitation wavelengths. Due to the favorable optical properties, the CNPs can readily enter into A549 cells and has been used for multicolor biolabeling and bioimaging. Most importantly, the as-prepared CNPs contain distinctive catechol groups on their surfaces. Due to the special response of catechol groups to Fe(3+) ions, we further demonstrate that such wholly new CNPs can serve as a very effective fluorescent sensing platform for label-free sensitive and selective detection of Fe(3+) ions and dopamine with a detection limit as low as 0.32 μM and 68 nM, respectively. The new "mix-and-detect" strategy is simple, green, and exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity. The present method was also applied to the determination of Fe(3+) ions in real water samples and dopamine in human urine and serum samples successfully.

The non-enzymatic browning, namely Maillard reaction is commonly invoked to account for abiotic chemical transformations of organic matter. Here we report a new reaction pathway via the Maillard reaction to systematically synthesize a series of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (C-dots) with superhigh quantum yield (QY) and tunable multicolor luminescent displayment. The starting materials are glucose and the serial amino acid analogues which allow systemically controlling luminescent and physicochemical properties of C-dots at will. Unexpectedly, the as-prepared C-dots possess bright photoluminescence with QY up to 69.1% which is almost the highest ever reported, favorable biocompatibility, excellent aqueous and nonaqueous dispersibility, ultrahigh photostability, and readily functionalization. We have demonstrated that they are particularly suitable for multicolor luminescent display and long-term and real-time cellular imaging. Furthermore, the methodology is readily scalable to large yield, and can provide sufficient amount of C-dots for practical demands.

An active cell scaffold based on a graphene-polymer hydrogel has been successfully fabricated. The macroporous hydrogel can efficiently capture cells not only through the bioadhesive ligand RGD but also through on-demand release of cells with an NIR light stimulus. The latter process shows better dynamic control over cells than traditional passive-hydrogel-based cell depots.

Dynamic control of cell-surface interactions with near-infrared (NIR) light is particularly attractive for regeneration medicine and cell-based therapy. Herein we successfully achieve NIR-controlled cell adhesion with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) based programmable substrate. The UCNPs can harvest the biocompatible NIR light and convert it into local UV light, which results in cleavage of the photocaged linkers and on-demand release of adhesive cells. The strategy also enables the feasibility of deep-tissue photocontrol of cell adhesion on substrate. Our work may open a new avenue for design of UCNP-based cell scaffolds to dynamically manipulate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions.

Both human telomeric G-rich and C-rich DnA have been considered as specific drug targets for cancer therapy. However, due to i-motif structure instability and lack of specific binding agents, it remains unclear whether stabilization of telomeric i-motif can inhibit telomerase activity. single-walled carbon nanotubes (sWnTs) have been reported as the first ligand that can selectively stabilize human telomeric i-motif DnA. Here we report that sWnTs can inhibit telomerase activity through stabilization of i-motif structure. The persistence of i-motif and the concomitant G-quadruplex eventually leads to telomere uncapping and displaces telomerebinding proteins from telomere. The dysfunctional telomere triggers DnA damage response and elicits upregulation of p16 and p21 proteins. This is the first example that sWnTs can inhibit telomerase activity and interfere with the telomere functions in cancer cells. These results provide new insights into understanding the biomedical effects of sWnTs and the biological importance of i-motif DnA.

Herein, a pH stimuli-responsive vehicle for intracellular drug delivery using CeO2 capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) is reported. β-Cyclodextrin-modified CeO2 nanoparticles could cap onto ferrocene-functionalized mesoporous silica through host-guest interactions. After internalization into A549 cells by a lysosomal pathway, the ferrocenyl moieties are oxidized to ferrocenium ions by CeO2 lids, which could trigger the uncapping of the CeO2 and cause the drugs release. Because of the pH-dependent toxicity, the CeO2 here behaves as a multi-purpose entity that not only acts as a lid but also exhibits a synergistic antitumor effect on cancer cells. Meanwhile, the cell protective effect of CeO2 nanoparticles alone is demonstrated, which ensures that the dissolved CeO2 nanoparticles can be non-toxic to normal cells.

Manipulation of cell–cell interactions has potential applications in basic research and cell-based therapy. Herein, using a combination of metabolic glycan labelling and bio-orthogonal click reaction, we engineer cell membranes with β-cyclodextrin and subsequently manipulate cell behaviours via photo-responsive host-guest recognition. With this methodology, we demonstrate reversible manipulation of cell assembly and disassembly. The method enables light-controllable reversible assembly of cell–cell adhesion, in contrast with previously reported irreversible effects, in which altered structure could not be reused. We also illustrate the utility of the method by designing a cell-based therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells modified with aptamer are effectively redirected towards target cells, resulting in enhanced cell apoptosis. Our approach allows precise control of reversible cell–cell interactions and we expect that it will promote further developments of cell-based therapy.