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Hollow silica spheres have been widely studied for drug delivery because of their excellent biosecurity and high porosity. However, difficulties with degradation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and premature leaking during drug delivery limit their clinical applications. To alleviate these problems, herein, hollow organosilica spheres (HOS) were initially prepared using a "selective etching strategy" and loaded with a photothermal drug: new indocyanine green (IR820). Then, the Cu2+–tannic acid complex (Cu-TA) was deposited on the surface of the HOS, and a new nanoplatform named HOS@IR820@Cu-TA (HICT) was finally obtained. The deposition of Cu-TA can gate the pores of HOS completely to prevent the leakage of IR820 and significantly enhance the loading capacity of HOS. Once in the mildly acidic TME, the HOS and outer Cu-TA decompose quickly in response, resulting in the release of Cu2+ and IR820. The released Cu2+ can react with the endogenous glutathione (GSH) to consume it and produce Cu+, leading to the enhanced production of highly toxic ·OH through a Fenton-like reaction due to the overexpressed H2O2 in the TME. Meanwhile, the ·OH generation was remarkably enhanced by the NIR light-responsive photothermal effect of IR820. These collective properties of HICT enable it to be a smart nanomedicine for dually enhanced chemodynamic therapy through GSH depletions and NIR light-triggered photothermal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a class of highly dynamic organelles, lipid droplets (LDs) are involved in numerous physiological functions, and the changes in polarity of LDs are closely related to a variety of diseases. In this work, we developed two polarity-sensitive fluorescent probes (CC-CH and CC-Cl) based on curcumin analogs. CC-CH and CC-Cl with a donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) structure exhibited the property of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT); thus, their fluorescence emissions were significantly attenuated with increasing ambient polarity. Cell experiments indicated that CC-CH and CC-Cl showed excellent photostability, a low cytotoxicity, and a superior targeting ability regarding LDs. After treatment with oleic acid (OA) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD), the polarity changes of LDs in living cells could be visualized by using CC-CH and CC-Cl. In addition, CC-CH and CC-Cl could monitor polarity changes of LDs in different pathological processes, including inflammatory responses, nutrient deprivation, and H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, CC-CH and CC-Cl are promising potential fluorescent probes for tracking intracellular LD polarity changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two photosensitizers (CCOH and CCN) were designed and synthesized by introducing coumarin into the curcumin (CUR) structure. Compared with CUR, more reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated by CCOH and CCN in type I and II synergy upon light irradiation. Cell experiments indicated that CCN with an excellent LD-targeting effect could be used to monitor the changes in the morphology and number of LDs in tumor cells during PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crosstalk between the lysosome and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is essential for maintaining intracellular homeostasis and normal physiological activities. However, simultaneously visualizing the lysosome and ER by using a single fluorescent probe is of considerable significance and challenge. In this work, we developed a near-infrared (NIR) pH probe (F–CCOH) by introducing 7-hydroxycoumarin into the curcumin difluoroboron skeleton. The F–CCOH probe presented strong red emission (630 nm) under acidic conditions and NIR emission (755 nm) under basic conditions, which was attributed to the deprotonation of the hydroxyl group on coumarin. Moreover, by monitoring changes in the fluorescent intensity of F–CCOH in two channels, the pH variety of the lysosomes and ER in living cells can be visualized simultaneously. The experimental results showed that pH changes in the lysosome and ER were opposite during dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. This finding is extremely valuable for revealing the crosstalk between lysosome and ER in physiological activities. • F–CCOH exhibits red emission (630 nm) and near-infrared emission (755 nm) under different pH. • F–CCOH can simultaneously target lysosome and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in living cells. • The pH changes in the lysosome and ER were opposite during dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SO 2 and its derivatives (HSO 3 −, SO 3 2−) play a significant important role in many industries and organisms. Based on coumarin and benzopyranose, a promising NIR ratiometric fluorescent probe BAOA (11-oxo-2,2′,3,3′,6,7,7′,8′-octahydro -1H,1′H,5H,6′H,11H- [10,12′-bipyrano [2,3-f] pyrido [3,2,1-ij] quinolin]-13′-ium perchlorate) was designed and developed to detect HSO 3 − rapidly and sensitively. The sensing mechanism was Michael addition reaction, in which, strongly nucleophilic HSO 3 − attacked carbon-carbon double bonds and BAOA-HSO 3 was formed. A superior linear calibration curve between the fluorescence ratio I 490 /I 722 and concentrations of HSO 3 − was obtained in the range of 1.25–8.75 μmol/L and the LOD was figured out as 63.0 nmol/L. Cell experiments showed that BAOA could not only locate mitochondria, lysosomes, ER and Golgi but also detect exogenous HSO 3 − in living cells. A promising NIR ratiometric fluorescent probe for HSO 3 − was designed, which sensing mechanism was nucleophilic HSO 3 − attacking carbon-carbon double bonds resulting from Michael addition reaction. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic photosensitizers greatly affect cell permeability and enrichment in tumors, but they cannot be used directly for clinical applications because they always aggregate in water, preventing their circulation in the blood and accumulation in tumor cells. As a result, amphiphilic photosensitizers are highly desirable. Although nanomaterial‐based photosensitizers can solve water solubility, they have the disadvantages of complicated operation, poor reproducibility, low drug loading, and poor stability. In this work, an efficient synthesis strategy is proposed that converts small molecules into nanoparticles in 100 % aqueous solution by molecular assembly without the addition of any foreign species. Three photosensitizers with triphenylphosphine units and ethylene glycol chains of different lengths, TPP−PPh3, TPP−PPh3−2PEG and TPP−PPh3−4PEG, were synthesized to improve amphiphilicity. Of the three photosensitizers, TPP−PPh3−4PEG is the most efficient (singlet oxygen yield: 0.89) for tumor photodynamic therapy not only because of its definite constituent, but also because its amphiphilic structure allows it to self‐assemble in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxalate CL as an energy source to excite photosensitizers has attracted tremendous attention in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, peroxyoxalate CPPO and hypocrellin B (HB)‐based nanoparticles (CBNPs) for ultrasound (US)‐enhanced self‐exciting PDT were designed and prepared. CBNPs showed an excellent therapeutic effect against cancer cells with the assistance of US. This US‐enhanced‐chemiluminescence system avoids the dependence on external light and provides an example for inspiring more effective and precise strategies for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypocrellin B (HB) derived from naturally produced hypocrellins has attracted considerable attention in photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of its excellent photosensitive properties. However, the weak absorption within a "phototherapy window" (600–900 nm) and poor water solubility of HB have limited its clinical application. In this study, two HB derivatives (i. e., HE and HF) were designed and synthesized for the first time by introducing two different substituent groups into the HB structure. The obtained derivatives showed a broad absorption band covering the near‐infrared (NIR) region, NIR emission (peaked at 805 nm), and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.27/0.31. HE‐PEG‐NPs were also prepared using 2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine‐N‐[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)‐2000] (DSPE‐mPEG2000) to achieve excellent dispersion in water and further explored their practical applications. HE‐PEG‐NPs not only retained their 1O2‐generating ability, but also exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency of 25.9%. In vitro and in vivo therapeutic results revealed that the synergetic effect of HE‐PEG‐NPs on PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) could achieve a good performance. Therefore, HE‐PEG‐NPs could be regarded as a promising phototheranostic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing nanoplatforms integrating superior fluorescence imaging ability in second near-infrared (NIR-II) window and tumor microenvironment responsive multi-modal therapy holds great potential for real-time feedback of therapeutic efficacy and optimizing tumor inhibition. Herein, we developed a pH-sensitive pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY-based amphiphilic molecule (PTG), which has a balanced NIR-II fluorescence brightness and photothermal effect. PTG is further co-assembled with a vascular disrupting agent (known as DMXAA) to prepare PTDG nanoparticles for combined anti-vascular/photothermal therapy and real-time monitoring of the tumor vascular disruption. Each PTG molecule has an active PT-3 core which is linked to two PEG chains via pH-sensitive ester bonds. The cleavage of ester bonds in the acidic tumor environment would tricker releases of DMXAA for anti-vascular therapy and further assemble PT-3 cores into micrometer particles for long term monitoring of the tumor progression. Furthermore, benefiting from the high brightness in the NIR-II region (119.61 M−1 cm−1) and long blood circulation time (t 1/2 = 235.6 min) of PTDG nanoparticles, the tumor vascular disrupting process can be in situ visualized in real time during treatment. Overall, this study demonstrates a self-assembly strategy to build a pH-responsive NIR-II nanoplatform for real-time monitoring of tumor vascular disruption, long-term tracking tumor progression and combined anti-vascular/photothermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs), a kind of phototheranostic agent with the capability of simultaneous bioimaging and phototherapy [i.e. photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photothermal therapy (PTT)], have received considerable attention because of their remarkable properties, including flexibility for surface modification, high biocompatibility, low toxicity and photo‐induced activity for malignant tumor cells. Among numerous carbon sources, it has been found that natural biomass are good candidates for the preparation of CD phototheranostic agents. In this study, pheophytin, a type of Mg‐free chlorophyll derivative and also a natural product with low toxicity, was used as a raw carbon source for the synthesis of CDs by using a microwave method. The obtained hydrophobic CDs exhibited a maximum near‐infrared (NIR) emission peak at approximately 680 nm, and high singlet oxygen (1O2) generation with a quantum yield of 0.62. The self‐assembled CDs from the as‐prepared CDs with DSPE‐mPEG2000 retained efficient 1O2 generation. The obtained carbon dot assembly was not only an efficient fluorescence (FL) imaging agent but also a smart PDT agent. Our studies indicated that the obtained hydrophilic CD assembly holds great potential as a new phototheranostic agent for cancer therapy. This work provides a new route for synthesis of CDs and proposes a readily available candidate for tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On base of the good optical properties of coumarin and fluorescein, we designed and synthesized two coumarin/fluorescein-fused fluorescent dyes ( CF dyes), which enlarged the emission wavelength and increased the Stokes shift of fluorescein moiety. The corresponding optical properties of CF dyes were investigated in detail. CF dyes could easily introduce other groups to design different functional molecules. CF dyes also exhibited rapid and sensitive responses to pH values in the range of 4.0–7.4 through the characterization of absorption and fluorescence spectra in buffer solution. More importantly, CF ethyl ester dye ( CFE dye) not only showed good cell membrane permeability and low cytotoxicity, but also had the ability to rapidly monitor mitochondrial pH changes in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two lipid-droplets (LDs) targeting photosensitizers (C-S-2 and C-S-3) were designed and synthesized. • C-S-2 and C-S-3 presented NIR emission and singlet oxygen generation capability under laser irradiation. • C-S-3 processed better photostability, superior LDs targeting capability and stronger photodynamic effect than C-S-2. The development of photosensitizers (PSs) with subcellular targeting capability has raised interest for photodynamic therapy (PDT) research. In this work, two coumarin-based photosensitizers (C-S-2 and C-S-3) were designed and synthesized via expanding their π-conjugation, introducing strong electron-donor and acceptor groups, and adopting sulfur substitution strategy. These sulfured-coumarins exhibited near-infrared emission (greater than 650 nm), lipid droplet-targeting ability and obvious photocytotoxicity under laser irradiation. In particular, C-S-3 exhibited better photostability, superior lipid droplet-targeting capability, and stronger photodynamic effect on cancer cells than C-S-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new water-soluble fluorescent probe 1 based on hemicyanine dye is designed for selective detection of glutathione (GSH). Probe 1 shows a tremendous colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence response toward GSH with high selectivity over cysteine/homocysteine. After nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with GSH, probe 1 undergoes an intramolecular aldimine condensation that leads to forming a ring, which is accompanied by 107 and 41 nm red-shifts in the absorption and fluorescence spectra, respectively. Subsequent experiments in living cells indicate that probe 1 has a good photostability and response to mitochondrial GSH level in a ratiometric manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As phototheranostic agents, carbon dots (CDs), have recently drawn considerable attention due to their excellent physicochemical properties. However, the complex synthetic route and high-cost of CDs greatly limit their practical application. To address this issue, given their nearly infinite supply from nature, Hypocrella bambusae is used as the precursor for the preparation of CDs in this study. The obtained Hypocrella bambusae CDs (HBCDs) possess good water solubility, broad absorption (350–800 nm), red-light emission (maximum peak at 610 nm), and low biotoxicity. Moreover, HBCDs can highly generate 1 O 2 (0.38) and heat (27.6%) under 635 nm laser irradiation. These excellent properties of HBCDs capacitate them to be utilized for bimodal fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT). This work provides a new candidate for tumor treatment with the combination of PDT and PTT, and explores a novel approach for the preparation of CD-based phototheranostic agents with natural biomass as raw carbon sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time monitoring vascular responses is crucial for evaluating the therapeutic effects of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT). Herein, we developed a highly-stable and bright aggregation induced emission (AIE) fluorophore (PTPE3 NP) for dynamic fluorescence (FL) imaging of vascular dysfunction beyond 1300 nm window during V-PDT. The superior brightness (ϵ max Φ f>1000 nm ≈ 180.05 M−1 cm−1) and high resolution of PTPE3 NP affords not only high-clarity images of whole-body and local vasculature (hindlimbs, mesentery, and tumor) but also high-speed video imaging for tracking blood circulation process. By virtue of the NPs' prolonged blood circulation time (t 1/2 ≈ 86.5 min) and excellent photo/chemical (pH, RONS) stability, mesenteric and tumor vascular dysfunction (thrombosis formation, vessel occlusion, and hemorrhage) can be successfully visualized during V-PDT by FL imaging for the first time. Furthermore, the reduction of blood flow velocity (BFV) can be monitored in real time for precisely evaluating efficacy of V-PDT. These provide a powerful approach for assessing vascular responses during V-PDT and promote the development of advanced fluorophores for biological imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) as an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) is correlated in various oxidative stress and cell signaling processes. Thus, developing an effective method that can monitor H 2 O 2 in the Golgi apparatus is of great importance. Herein, a Golgi-targeting two-photon fluorescent probe (GT-H 2 O 2) that can be excited by a femto-second pulse (760 nm) is designed. GT-H 2 O 2 utilized aminoquinoline as a fluorophore / Golgi-targetable unit and borate ester as a H 2 O 2 -responsive unit with an intramolecular charge transfer strategy. The borate ester of GT-H 2 O 2 was oxidized by H 2 O 2 selectively to afford a new fluorescent molecule GT-NH 2 , thereby realizing a ratiometric detection of H 2 O 2. The probe exhibited a high sensitivity and selectivity to H 2 O 2 with a linear range from 5 to 60 μM. In addition, endogenous / exogenous H 2 O 2 could be directly visualized utilizing GT-H 2 O 2 in vitro and in vivo by one/two-photon microscopy. • A two-photon fluorescent probe (GT-H 2 O 2) is presented to sense H 2 O 2 levels. • GT-H 2 O 2 exhibited a rapid and notable ratiometric fluorescent response for H 2 O 2. • GT-H 2 O 2 can achieve Golgi localization. • GT-H 2 O 2 was visualized to monitor endogenous/exogenous H 2 O 2 by two-photon imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials for bioimaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, designing red-emissive CDs (RCDs) with tunable type I and type II reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation to simultaneously meet PDT applications in aerobic and hypoxic scenarios still remain major challenges. Herein, three types of RCDs with maximum emission at approximately 680 nm are successfully prepared. It is noteworthy that they exhibit the adjustable ROS production with equal superoxide anion (via type I PDT) and incremental singlet oxygen (via type II PDT). Detailed structural and optical characterizations along with theoretical calculation reveal that the unique type I/II ROS formation mainly depends on the core sizes and surface states of RCDs, which determine their identical redox potentials and tapering energy gaps between singlet- and triplet states, respectively. Additionally, due to the inherent mitochondria targeting capability, RCDs enable themselves to induce cell programmed death via activating mitochondrion-mediated apoptotic pathways. This work exploits the unprecedented RCDs with tunable type I and type II ROS generation that could ensure highly efficient tumor eradication both in vitro and in vivo, even under the harsh tumor microenvironment, providing a new prospect for CDs as nanophotosensitizers to conquer the limitations of single type PDT. Red emissive carbon dots with tunable reactive oxygen species generation are prepared to achieve highly efficient fluorescence imaging-guided type I/II photodynamic therapy via activating mitochondrion-mediated apoptotic pathways of cancer cells, providing a new prospect for carbon dots as nanophotosensitizers to conquer the limitations of single type PDT. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A ratiometric fluorescent probe (Probe 1) was designed for GGT detection. • Probe 1 can sensitively and selectively detect GGT in complex biological systems. • Probe 1 can be successfully applied for ratiometric imaging of GGT in living cells. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is one of the biomarker of cancer, hepatitis, and numerous other diseases. The accurate analysis of GGT is useful for the early diagnosis of these diseases. In this work, Probe 1 , a ratiometric fluorescent probe based on 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile, was designed for GGT detection. The results indicated that Probe 1 can sensitively and selectively detect GGT in phosphate buffered solution and complex biological systems (e.g., blood serum). Furthermore, Probe 1 has been successfully applied for ratiometric imaging of GGT in cancer cells and normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pH homeostasis of Golgi plays a vital role in maintaining normal cell functions. An effective near-infrared fluorescent probe that can sense pH changes in Golgi apparatus is of great significance. Here, a Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe (Golgi-hNR) based on a rhodamine derivative is presented to show a highly sensitive response to pH variations. Golgi-hNR displays a conspicuous pH-dependent behavior at 664 nm from pH 7.4–3.0 with a remarkable fluorescence off-on response. The pKa value of Golgi-hNR is measured to be 3.62. Confocal fluorescence imaging reveals that Golgi-hNR diffuses into Golgi with high selectivity. Using Golgi-hNR , we have successfully visualized real-time tracking of Golgi pH variations for medical therapy in living cells. • An effective near-infrared fluorescent probe (Golgi-hNR) based on rhodamine is presented to sense pH variations. • Golgi-hNR displays a conspicuous pH-dependent behavior with a remarkable fluorescence off-on response. • Golgi-hNR was successfully visualized for real-time tracking of Golgi pH variations for medical therapy in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzopyran nitrile dyes cannot be used as qualified photosensitizers due to the low quantum yield of triplet state. The benzopyran derivatives containing selenium instead of oxygen atom based on the heavy atom effect are expected to become potential agents for photodynamic therapy. In this paper, a series of selenium-containing photosensitizers (PS X) were prepared according to this strategy. PS X can effectively produce both singlet oxygen and superoxide anions upon laser irradiation. PS X exhibited the emission wavelength at 500–800 nm and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging in HeLa cells. Excellent biocompatibility and phototoxicity further indicated that PS X could be used as efficient photosensitizers for NIR fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy. Four novel selenium-containing photosensitizers (PS X) have been synthesized through a strategy of introducing Se into the dye core. PS X can serve as effective photosensitizers for NIR fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy. [Display omitted] • Four selenium-containing photosensitizers (PS X) were prepared by introducing Se into the dye core. • PS X can effectively produce both singlet oxygen and superoxide anions upon laser irradiation. • PSx exhibited near-infrared fluorescence imaging and efficient photodynamic therapy in HeLs cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two asymmetrical benzoxanthene dyes (BP-1 and BP-2) were designed and synthesized by a convenient one-step procedure from naphthaldehyde and m -aminophenol precursors. These dyes showed long-wavelength absorption, near-infrared emission (>650 nm), and large Stokes shifts (>90 nm) because of the asymmetrical introduction of the benzene ring into the xanthene structure. BP-1 exhibited high fluorescence quantum yield in organic solvents, whereas BP-2 showed very weak fluorescence due to the photoinduced electron transfer of 9-substituted groups. Cell experiments indicated that BP-1 with crescent-shape structure showed lower cytotoxicity and higher photostability than BP-2 and could rapidly stain RNA in nucleoli at low concentration. [Display omitted] • Two asymmetrical benzoxanthene dyes were synthesized by a convenient one-step procedure. • The dyes showed long-wavelength absorption, near-infrared emission and large Stokes shifts. • BP-1 could stained RNA in nucleoli rapidly with low cytotoxicity and good photostability. • BP-2 showed a very weak fluorescence and cytotoxicity due to 9-substituted groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvents exhibit different color reactions via regulation of the structure, kinetics, and charge distribution of organic compound molecules. In recent years, solvatochromic probes have good application prospects in the fields of chemistry and biology. In this work, we synthesized three fluorescent probes (PBIC–C, PAIC-C, PPIC-C) sensitive to solvent polarity. We have studied the photophysical properties (spectra, quantum yield, and fluorescence lifetime under different solvents) of these probes. The isomerization nature was verified by nuclear magnetic titration. In order to further confirm our guess, we also performed theoretical calculations, and the results were roughly the same as the experimental results. In addition, cell imaging tests revealed that the designed probes could be used as dual intracellular mitochondria/lysosome-targeting fluorescent probes for biological applications. [Display omitted] • The probes exhibit sharp color changes in different polar solvents. • The probes show relatively high fluorescence quantum yields. • The probes achieve dual targeting of mitochondrials and lysosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]