Peptide-Conjugated Aggregation-Induced Emission Fluorogenic Probe for Glypican-3 Protein Detection and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Imaging

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality on a global scale, and the development of accurate detection and imaging methods for HCC cells is urgently needed. Herein, by connecting peptide L5, which can specifically bind to the overexpressed Glypican-3 (GPC-3) protein of HCC cells with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) moiety ammonium cation-functionalized 9,10-distyrylanthracene (NDSA) via the “click” reaction, we synthesized a fluorescent probe NDSA-L5. In an aqueous solution, the probe shows weak emission, whereas, in the presence of the GPC-3 protein, bright fluorescence can be obtained since NDSA-L5 binds to the GPC-3 protein, leading to the restricted intramolecular movement of AIE-active NDSA-L5. The imaging and flow cytometry experiments demonstrate that the NDSA-L5 probe can rapidly accumulate in the subcutaneous HCC cells and liver tumor tissue and shows a potential application in early detection and surgical navigation for HCC cancer.

A simple, sensitive, and selective colorimetric chemosensor for sequential determination of dual analytes, Ce3+, H2PO4−, and its applications in the logic gate construction and the system of keypad lock

“…Lately, many fluorescent and chromogenic chemosensors have been introduced that are selective for a definite analyte. Also, nowadays, more focus has been placed on the design and progress of these chemosensors to identify and measure different analytes [16, 17]. Multipurpose chemosensors for the sequential discovery of cations and anions have attracted much attention for sequential analysis because they show a series of advantages, including lower cost, faster response, and simple operation.…”

A ratiometric nanoprobe for the in vivo bioimaging of hypochlorous acid to detect drug-damaged liver and kidneys

“…29–36 However, the emission wavelengths of most HClO responsive probes reported so far have focused on the visible ultraviolet light range, yet these probes will be photobleached by the formation of singlet oxygen or superoxide, which limits their further application in biological imaging. 37,38 Near-infrared sensors have been developed rapidly due to their characteristics of causing low damage, low background fluorescence, and deep tissue penetration. 39–54…”

“…[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] However, the emission wavelengths of most HClO responsive probes reported so far have focused on the visible ultraviolet light range, yet these probes will be photobleached by the formation of singlet oxygen or superoxide, which limits their further application in biological imaging. 37,38 Near-infrared sensors have been developed rapidly due to their characteristics of causing low damage, low background fluorescence, and deep tissue penetration. [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] Herein, we designed a near-infrared probe NRH-800 (Scheme 1), which uses rhodamine derivatives as a fluorescent nuclear component to modify the positively charged indole rings that tend to be enriched in mitochondria and the transdouble bond of probe molecules, which can be cut by HClO to trigger fluorescence changes.…”