In Situ Monitoring Apoptosis Process by a Self-Reporting Photosensitizer

Abstract

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) has thrived as a promising treatment, highly active photosensitizers (PSs) and intense light power can cause treatment overdose. However, extra therapeutic response probes make the monitoring process complicated, ex situ and delayed. Now, this challenge is addressed by a self-reporting cationic PS, named TPE-4EP+, with aggregation-induced emission characteristic. The molecule undergoes mitochondria-to-nucleus translocation during apoptosis induced by PDT, thus enabling the in situ real-time monitoring via fluorescence migration. Moreover, by molecular charge engineering, we prove that the in situ translocation of TPE-4EP+ is mainly attributed to the enhanced interaction with DNA imposed by its multivalent positive charge. The ability of PS to provide PDT with real-time diagnosis help control the treatment dose that can avoid excessive phototoxicity and minimize potential side effect. Future development of new generation of PS is envisioned.

Spatiotemporally Monitoring Cell Viability through Programmable Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Transformation by Using Fluorescent Carbon Dots

“…Even little changes of mitochondrial membrane potential could result a huge influence on the cell viability and are closely connected with a series of diseases. Therefore, development of sensitive methods to monitor mitochondrial membrane potential is particularly important 5–10…”

Design of AIEgens for near-infrared IIb imaging through structural modulation at molecular and morphological levels

“…AIE luminogens (AIEgens) emit intensely when aggregated because of the restriction of intramolecular motion (RIM) mechanism ( Fig. 1b) [34][35][36] . Noteworthily, thanks to the twisted structures decorated with multiple molecular rotors, AIEgens remain intramolecularly mobile even in the aggregate state, which is inclined to access the dark TICT state 37,38 .…”

A coumarin-containing Schiff base fluorescent probe with AIE effect for the copper(ii) ion

“…Tetraphenylethene (TPE), one of the most commonly used aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens), has been widely favored by researchers. 37,38 Owing to its simple structure, simple synthesis, easy modication, and obvious AIE effect, TPE is usually used as an ideal model for construction of various uorescent sensors. 39 In 2019, Zhao Feng and coworkers designed and synthesized a new tetraphenylethenebased Schiff base ligand with AIE effect, and it could be utilized as optical recording materials.…”