Optimizing Energy Transfer in Nanostructures Enables In Vivo Cancer Lesion Tracking via Near‐Infrared Excited Hypoxia Imaging

Abstract

To explore highly sensitive and low‐toxicity techniques for tracking and evaluation of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one of the most mortal tumors in the world, it is utterly imperative for doctors to select the appropriate treatment strategies. Herein, developing near‐infrared (NIR) excited nanosensors, in which the donor and acceptor pairs within a biological metal–organic framework (bio‐MOF) matrix are precisely controlled to rationalize upconversion Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), is suggested for detecting the O2 concentration inside tumors with reduced signal disturbance and health detriment. Under NIR excitation, as‐fabricated core/satellite nanosensors exhibit much improved FRET efficiency and reversible hypoxic response with high sensitivity, which are effective both in vitro and in vivo (zebrafish) for cycling normoxia–hypoxia imaging. Significantly, combined with a reliable preclinical genetically engineered murine model, such nanosensors successfully realize tracking of in vivo NSCLC lesions upon clear and gradient hypoxia signals without apparent long‐term biotoxicity, illustrating their exciting potential for efficient NSCLC evaluation and prognosis.

Imaging the oxygen wave with a single bioluminescent bacterium

“…Although powerful, these single-point devices (oxygen sensors) reported the averaged concentration of oxygen molecules and lacked spatial resolution. Meanwhile, different types of oxygen-sensitive optical probes have been proposed to image the distribution of oxygen within cells, [9][10][11] tissues 12,13 and even living beings. [14][15][16] For example, transition metal complex compounds have been popular choices for oxygen imaging by monitoring the reduced phosphorescence intensity and lifetime in the presence of oxygen due to the oxygen triplet state quenching.…”

Dual‐Emissive Platinum(II) Metallacage with a Sensitive Oxygen Response for Imaging of Hypoxia and Imaging‐Guided Chemotherapy

“…Thes econd method employs phosphorescence probes showing dynamic emission varying with O 2 concentration. [5] Nevertheless,m ost of the phosphorescent probes are based on amono-phosphorescent dye.The mono-emissive intensity is easily altered by the concentration of the probe and other biological conditions,w ith ar elative lack of accuracy and reliability. [6] Consequently,f or the demands of cancer diagnosis and potential treatments,itsimportant to develop new hypoxia probes with multiple emissions and phosphorescence characteristics.…”

Metal‐Organic Frameworks‐Based Fluorescent Nanocomposites for Bioimaging in Living Cells and in vivo†

“…Biological metal–organic frameworks (bio‐MOFs) acted as the emerging matrix of core‐shell nanostructures (BMU) and UCNPs were attached to the surface of the bio‐MOFs as NIR antennas to maximize the Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency under NIR excitation. [ 105 ] The core‐shell UCNPs have the advantages of increased UCL intensity in the visible light range excited by 980 nm NIR laser (Figure 9A). In addition, BMU‐Ru nanosensors also exhibited great stability in different physiological solutions and no obvious leaking in serum was observed, demonstrating their promising potential for biological applications.…”

“…(C) UCL images and MRI images of the mice lung after intravenous injection of BMU‐Ru nanosensors at different intervals. Reprinted with permission, [ 105 ] Copyright 2020, Wiley‐Blackwell.…”