New conjugated polymer nanoparticles with high photoluminescence quantum yields for far-red and near infrared fluorescence bioimaging

Abstract

The development of new aqueous conjugated polymer nanoparticles with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) at the far red and near infrared (NIR) spectral regions (>650 nm) as alternative polymer probes for fluorescence imaging is reported.

Rational design of aqueous conjugated polymer nanoparticles as potential theranostic agents of breast cancer

“…In our previous work 40 we prepared 12 different TQ-based aqueous CPNs varying as regards the number and positioning of the fluorine atoms on the polymer backbone using two methods; nanoprecipitation and encapsulation with the FDA and EMA approved mPLGA-b-PEG diblock copolymer. We detected that the TQ-based CPNs with the three (T2fQf) and four (T2fQ2f) fluorine atoms on the polymer backbone, regardless of the preparation method, demonstrated desired emission in the FR/NIR region of the spectra (above 600 nm) with higher quantum yield values of 0.18 enabling great prospect as FR/NIR fluorescent bioimaging dyes.…”

“…The design, the synthesis and the characterization of the T2fQf and T2fQ2f conjugated polymers, as well as their corresponding aqueous CPNs are described in detail in our previous publication. 40 In particular, for the formation of the CPNs via the nanoprecipitation method, first, each conjugated polymer was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) which is a low boiling point aprotic polar solvent miscible with water at a concentration of 0.1 mg mL À1 . Then, 1.5 mL of either T2fQf or T2fQ2f based THF solution (stock solution) was added dropwise to 7 mL of deionized water, respectively, followed by sonication at room temperature.…”

“…[36][37][38][39] In an effort to create new far-red/NIR fluorescence bioimaging nanomaterials, we recently reported the rational design, systematic study and optimization of a series of donor-acceptor conjugated polymers consisting of thiophene as the electron donating and the quinoxaline as the electron deficient, varying as regards the number of the fluorine atoms anchored onto the polymer backbone, which were used for the formation of new water-soluble nanoparticles with high photoluminescence quantum yields. 40 The aqueous nanoparticles were prepared using two methods; nanoprecipitation and encapsulation with the FDA and EMA approved mPLGA-b-PEG diblock copolymer. The TQ-based CPNs with the higher number of fluorine atoms on the polymer backbone, regardless of the preparation method, demonstrated desired emission in the FR/NIR region of the spectra (above 600 nm) with quantum yield values of 0.18 enabling great prospect as FR/NIR fluorescent bioimaging dyes.…”

“…1) far-red emitting aqueous conjugated polymer nanoparticles, which showed great promise as new FR/NIR fluorescent dyes according to our previous results. 40 We used two different malignant human breast cell lines; a luminal type A (T-47D) and a triple negative (MDA-MB-231) compared with a spontaneously immortalized nonmalignant epithelial cell line (MCF10A) for viability tests. To examine the cytotoxic effects of the CPNs on the cells depending on their preparation method (nanoprecipitation and encapsulation within mPLGA-b-PEG diblock copolymer), cell proliferation and late apoptotic cell numbers were evaluated over five days.…”

Synthesis, characterization, and biological applications of semiconducting polythiophene‐based nanoparticles

“…Owing to the “plasticity” of the thiophene ring—imputable to the facile geometric deformability and adaptability of the ring to the environment, which is a consequence of the flexibility of the carbon‐sulfur bond—and its multiple nonbonding interactions, TpM can be organized in a wide variety of morphologies that enable a further tuning of their functionalities 21–24 . Recently, semiconducting polythiophene‐based nanoparticles (PT‐NPs), because of their excellent electron transport properties, high fluorescence, soft material nature, and water dispersibility, have been proved to have a huge potential in bioimaging and as nanoagents in photobiology 25–29 . Indeed, PT‐NPs present good photostability, excellent biocompatibility, and can be prepared with dimensions close to the size of biomolecules, rendering them attractive scaffolds for in vitro and in vivo biological applications 30–32 .…”