Coumarin-like fluorescent molecular rotors for bioactive polymers probing

Polysaccharides are interesting and often essential macromolecules but are difficult to analyse due to their lack of convenient chromophores. We propose an efficient labelling procedure for polysaccharides such as functionalized dextrans with coumarin derivatives: the fluorescent tracers present inter alia properties of emission of fluorescence dependent on the molecular environment (polarity, viscosity, temperature, pH, etc.). Hence, with in mind the understanding of cell-polysaccharide interactions, the labelled polymers were studied by in vitro tests on a line of endothelial cells sensitive to the proliferative effect of these dextran polysaccharides. Using 3D fluorescence microscopy, the fixation and internalization of fluorescent functionalized dextrans were observed in endothelial cells.