Simultaneous Quantitation of Na⁺and K⁺in Single Normal and Cancer Cells Using a New Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe

Abstract

Considering the important functions of cellular Na(+) and K(+) together with their cooperative efforts on various biological processes, it is significant to simultaneously detect Na(+) and K(+) at a single-cell level. Here, we present a novel method to discriminate and quantify simultaneously Na(+) and K(+) in single cells using a new near-infrared fluorescent probe associated with microchip electrophoresis. The fluorescent probe selectively responds to both Na(+) and K(+). The microchip electrophoresis allows accurate single-cell manipulation and effective distinction of Na(+) and K(+). Based on the method, the concentration of Na(+) and K(+) in single normal and cancer cells was compared, and the variation of Na(+) and K(+) in single cancer cells during the early stage of apoptotic volume decrease was monitored, which would help us to better understand the critical roles of Na(+) and K(+) in malignant cells and apoptosis. This method has paved a new way for the research of the synergistic function of Na(+) and K(+) in the regulation of various biological processes at a single-cell level.

Identification of Biomarkers of Necrosis in Xenografts Using Imaging Mass Spectrometry

“…Looking for a more universal marker of necrosis, we mapped the relative abundance of sodium and potassium in the tissue, as previous studies have reported changes in the abundance of those adducts during cell apoptosis and cancer [26]. To determine the Na + /K + ratio it is necessary to find species whose adducts are free of other species interferences.…”

Naked-Eye and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Probe for Hydrazine and Its Applications in In Vitro and In Vivo Bioimaging

“…Near-infrared fluorescent probes are highly needful, because light in the NIR region shows lower background fluorescence, less phototoxicity, and deeper penetration [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Several fluorescence probes based on near-infrared dyes have been designed.…”

A dual‐tuned multichannel bilateral RF coil for 1H/23Na breast MRI at 7 T

“…the maintenance of the concentration gradient of ions across the cell membrane), which is strongly related to cellular metabolism, and has shown promise to detect malignancy and monitor NACT response. Previous studies showed that the total sodium concentration was significantly greater in malignant breast lesions (+50%‐60%) compared with healthy tissues, whereas distinct trends were observed in chemotherapy responders (−20%‐30%) compared with nonresponders (+5%‐10%) …”

“…the maintenance of the concentration gradient of ions across the cell membrane), which is strongly related to cellular metabolism, and has shown promise to detect malignancy and monitor NACT response. Previous studies showed that the total sodium concentration was significantly greater in malignant breast lesions (+50%-60%) compared with healthy tissues, [16][17][18] whereas distinct trends were observed in chemotherapy responders (−20%-30%) compared with nonresponders (+5%-10%). 19,20 Due to low sodium content in the body (approximately 15 mM inside the cells and 140 mM outside), its low MR sensitivity (9.27% that of hydrogen) and short transversal relaxation times in biological tissues (T 2,short = 1-5 ms, T 2,long = 10-60 ms), 23 Na MRI suffers from intrinsically low SNR, which can be approximately 20,000 times lower than that of proton.…”