A Green-Emission Metal–Organic Framework-Based Nanoprobe for Imaging Dual Tumor Biomarkers in Living Cells

Abstract

The modular nature of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) permits their tunable structure and function for target application, such as in biomedicine. Herein, a green-emission Zr­(IV)-MOF (BUT-88) was constructed from a customized luminescent carbazolyl ligand. BUT-88 represents the first bcu-type MOF with both organic linker and metal node in eight connections and shows medium-sized pores, rich accessible linking sites, and good water stability and biocompatibility. In virtue of these merits, BUT-88 was then fabricated into a MOF-based fluorescent nanoprobe, drDNA-BUT-88. Using it, the live-cell imaging of dual tumor biomarkers was achieved for the first time upon a MOF-based probe, offering enhanced detection precision in early cancer diagnosis. Particularly, the probe showed efficient ratiometric fluorescent sensing toward the cytoplasmic biomarker microRNA-21, further improving the detection accuracy at the cellular level. In this work, the elaborate combination of MOF engineering and the fluorescent detection technique has contributed a facile biosensing platform, unlocking more possibilities of MOF chemistry.

Energy Transfer in Metal–Organic Frameworks for Fluorescence Sensing

“…The BUT-88-based probe could selectively and sensitively recognize dual tumor biomarkers ( Figure 2 a). 97 A pyrene-based (tetraethyl 4,4′,4′′,4′′′-(pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrayl)tetrabenzoic acid) LMOF (NU-1000) was applied for accurate sensing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Because of the efficient preconcentration of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in NU-1000 and the strong charge transfer interactions between the conjugated 1-HP and pyrene cores, this LMOF exhibited efficient emission quenching-based sensing for 1-HP ( Figure 2 b).…”

“… (a) Excitation and emission spectra (450 nm excitation) of the MOF BUT-88 and the structure of the corresponding linker H8TCTA (2,3,5,6-tetrakis(3,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-terephthalate). Reprinted with permission from ref ( 97 ). Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society.…”

Biomedical Applications of Metal−Organic Frameworks for Disease Diagnosis and Drug Delivery: A Review

“…MOFs have been widely studied for cancer diagnosis. Kong et al [179] investigated a green-emission Zr (IV)-MOF (BUT-88) as a biosensing platform using a fluorescent detection technique. The MOF derivative was fabricated into a fluorescent nanoprobe, drDNA-BUT-88, which could identify dual tumor biomarkers (i.e., MUC-1 and miRNA-21) in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells).…”

Hyaluronic acid targeted metal organic framework based on iron (III) for delivery of platinum curcumin cytotoxic agent to triple negative breast cancer cell line

“…[4,5] TNBC is resistant to standard therapies like hormonal therapy; therefore, researchers are trying to make new compounds that can effectively treat TNBC. [6] In recent years, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a class of hybrid organic-inorganic porous materials have attracted significant attention in the fields of drug delivery, [7] molecular imaging, [8] and biosensors. [9] These structures have been synthesized by connecting metal ions as nodes and organic linkers via coordination bonds.…”

“…In recent years, Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) as a class of hybrid organic‐inorganic porous materials have attracted significant attention in the fields of drug delivery, [ 7 ] molecular imaging, [ 8 ] and biosensors. [ 9 ] These structures have been synthesized by connecting metal ions as nodes and organic linkers via coordination bonds.…”