A molecular design strategy toward enzyme-activated probes with near-infrared I and II fluorescence for targeted cancer imaging

Abstract

A molecular design strategy is established to access diverse enzyme-activated probes that are excitable and emit in the NIR (I and II) region with favorable Stokes shifts, enabling targeted cancer imaging by real-time monitoring enzyme activities.

A molecular approach to rationally constructing specific fluorogenic substrates for the detection of acetylcholinesterase activity in live cells, mice brains and tissues

“…[9][10][11][12] Currently, several analytical methods based on colorimetric assays, 10,11 chemiluminescence, 12 electrochemical sensors, 13,14 nanoparticles, 15 and supramolecular assemblies, 16 have been engineered to probe AChE activity. Fluorescent probes combined with uorescence confocal imaging with unique features, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] such as in situ and/or real-time detection, high spatiotemporal resolution and noninvasive monitoring abilities, have been extensively used in various disease diagnoses and therapies. 29,30 Currently, uorescent probes for AChE activity analysis employ acetyl groups as recognition units.…”

A Dendron‐Based Fluorescence Turn‐On Probe for Tumor Detection

“…[1][2][3][4] To improvet umor-imaging sensitivity and contrast, it is important to enhancet he ratio of the signal intensities of tumor to normal tissues (T/N ratio),w hich can be achieved by specifically amplifying the emissions ignal of the probesi ntumor tissues through the unique tumor microenvironment, such as the reductivea nd weakly acidic conditions and the over-expression of enzymes. [5][6][7][8][9] To accomplish this goal, different types of probes have been developed and some typical examplesa re listed here. Phosphorescent probes can exhibit much stronger emission in tumors than normal tissues owing to the hypoxia in tumors.…”

“…Near‐infrared (NIR) optical imaging has become an important imaging modality for tumor detection and image‐guided tumor excision owing to the high imaging resolution and sensitivity as well as readily available probes and inexpensive instrumentation . To improve tumor‐imaging sensitivity and contrast, it is important to enhance the ratio of the signal intensities of tumor to normal tissues (T/N ratio), which can be achieved by specifically amplifying the emission signal of the probes in tumor tissues through the unique tumor microenvironment, such as the reductive and weakly acidic conditions and the over‐expression of enzymes . To accomplish this goal, different types of probes have been developed and some typical examples are listed here.…”

Trimethyl Lock Quinone‐Functionalized Coumarin for Real‐time Monitoring of NQO1 Activity in the Live Cells

“…Here, we developed NQO1‐responsive turn‐on fluorescent probe based on trimethyl lock quinone‐functionalized diethylamino‐coumarin (probe 1 ). Trimethyl lock quinone (TLQ) group acts as NQO1‐responsive quinone substrate and fluorescence extinguisher 8–10 . As depicted in Scheme 1, when exposed to NQO1 and NADH, the TLQ group of probe 1 undergoes rapid cyclization after reduction to hydroquinone to produce a highly fluorescent diethylamino‐coumarin 2 .…”