Polymeric AIE-based nanoprobes for biomedical applications: recent advances and perspectives

Abstract

The development of polymeric luminescent nanomaterials for biomedical applications has recently attracted a large amount of attention due to the remarkable advantages of these materials compared with small organic dyes and fluorescent inorganic nanomaterials. Among these polymeric luminescent nanomaterials, polymeric luminescent nanomaterials based on dyes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties should be of great research interest due to their unique AIE properties, the designability of polymers and their multifunctional potential. In this review, the recent advances in the design and biomedical applications of polymeric luminescent nanomaterials based on AIE dyes is summarized. Various design strategies for incorporation of these AIE dyes into polymeric systems are included. The potential biomedical applications such as biological imaging, and use in biological sensors and theranostic systems of these polymeric AIE-based nanomaterials have also been highlighted. We trust this review will attract significant interest from scientists from different research fields in chemistry, materials, biology and interdisciplinary areas.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Hyperbranched AIE‐active Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles and Their Application in Biological Application

“…[24,25] To date, a large number of new AIE luminescent dyes including silole, tetraphenylethene (TPE), triphenylamine (TPA), 9,10-distyrylanthrancene (DSA), 1,4-distyrylbenzene (DSB) and their derivatives have been designed and explored for different applications. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] However, most of AIE luminescent dyes are not soluble in physiological solution on account of their inherent hydrophobic features, which is a great challenge for their biological application. A general adopted strategy is the encapsulation of these hydrophobic dyes into or conjugation with other hydrophilic components to form amphiphilic block copolymers, which can self-assemble into nanoparticles in aqueous solution.…”

Graphene Oxide/Ag Nanoparticles Cooperated with Simvastatin as a High Sensitive X‐Ray Computed Tomography Imaging Agent for Diagnosis of Renal Dysfunctions

“…Particle size analysis in solution shows that the simvastatin can reduce effectively the size of GO/AgNPs in solution, because the toxicity in vivo can decrease with decreasing the particle size. [40] In order to further study, the treatment or prevention of simvastatin on tissue damage induced by GO/AgNPs, the pathological sections of the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidneys have been conducted. Figure 2C shows the pathological observations of five tissues with administration of normal saline, GO/AgNPs, S/G, S-G, and G/S.…”

Biodegradable and Biocompatible Systems Based on Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles

“…It is therefore an ideal imaging technique that makes it possible to attain a deep tissue penetration, high sensitivity and both high spatial and temporal resolution [96]. Potential biomedical applications (e.g., imaging, sensors and theranostic systems) of polymeric luminescent nanomaterials based on dyes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have been recently reviewed by Zang et al [97]. AIE is a distinctive fluorescence phenomenon characterized by a strong emission when molecules aggregate instead of remaining in solution.…”

“…These nanocomposites were appropriated for loading anticancer drugs (e.g., doxorubicin, DO) ( Figure 7) and for achieving targeted drug delivery through the hyperthermic effect provided by SPIONs [105]. Potential biomedical applications (e.g., imaging, sensors and theranostic systems) of polymeric luminescent nanomaterials based on dyes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have been recently reviewed by Zang et al [97]. AIE is a distinctive fluorescence phenomenon characterized by a strong emission when molecules aggregate instead of remaining in solution.…”