High-Efficiency in Vitro and in Vivo Detection of Zn²⁺ by Dye-Assembled Upconversion Nanoparticles

Abstract

Development of highly sensitive and selective sensing systems of divalent zinc ion (Zn(2+)) in organisms has been a growing interest in the past decades owing to its pivotal role in cellular metabolism, apoptosis, and neurotransmission. Herein, we report the rational design and synthesis of a Zn(2+) fluorescent-based probe by assembling lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with chromophores. Specifically, upconversion luminescence (UCL) can be effectively quenched by the chromophores on the surface of nanoparticles via a fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) process and subsequently recovered upon the addition of Zn(2+), thus allowing for quantitative monitoring of Zn(2+). Importantly, the sensing system enables detection of Zn(2+) in real biological samples. We demonstrate that this chromophore-UCNP nanosystem is capable of implementing an efficient in vitro and in vivo detection of Zn(2+) in mouse brain slice with Alzheimer's disease and zebrafish, respectively.

Fluorescent nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of metal ions: Recent advances and future perspectives

“…Very recently, Peng et al [174] reported the rational design and synthesis of a Zn 2+ fluorescent-based probe by assembling UCNPs with chromophores (Figure 9). Specifically, upconversion luminescence can be effectively quenched by the chromophores on the surface of nanoparticles via a FRET process and subsequently recovered upon the addition of Zn 2+ , thus allowing for quantitative monitoring of Zn 2+ .…”

“…(b) In vivo tracing distribution of Zn 2+ in zebrafish. (Adapted with permission from [174]. Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society)…”

Recent Advances on Functionalized Upconversion Nanoparticles for Detection of Small Molecules and Ions in Biosystems

“…Chang and co‐workers reported a rational design to detect Zn 2+ 57. They found that UCL could be effectively quenched by the dyes on the surface of UCNPs and can be subsequently recovered by the addition of Zn 2+ (Figure 2D).…”

Electrochemically assisted flexible lanthanide upconversion luminescence sensing of heavy metal contamination with high sensitivity and selectivity

“…Numerous reports have revealed the good sensitivity and selectivity of UCL sensors towards various metal ions such as Zn 2+ , 8 Cu 2+ , [14][15][16] Hg 2+ , 17 and Pb 2+ ions. 18 Most strategies were established based on the luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) phenomenon, by which metal-responsive dyes played important roles in quenching UCL for ratiometric luminescence sensing while promoting the selectivity.…”