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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Biomolecular Imaging of Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles using Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy
Published on: May 16, 2022
Towards the elaboration of new gold-based optical theranostics
Pierre-Emmanuel Doulain1, Richard Decréau, Cindy Racoeur
1Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, UMR 6302 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 9 avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21080 Dijon Cedex, France. ewen.bodio@u-bourgogne.fr christine.goze@u-bourgogne.fr.
Abstract:
Four new red BODIPY-gold(I) theranostic compounds were synthesized. Some of them were vectorized by tethering a biovector (glucose or bombesin derivatives) to the metallic center. Their photophysical properties were studied. Additionally, their cytotoxicity was examined on different cancer cell lines and on a normal cell line, they were tracked in vitro by fluorescence detection, and their uptake was evaluated by ICP-MS measurements.
Insights
Four novel red BODIPY-gold(I) theranostic compounds were synthesized and functionalized with biovectors. These compounds show potential for cancer theranostics, with evaluated photophysical, cytotoxic, and cellular uptake properties.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Theranostics combine therapy and diagnostics for personalized medicine.
- BODIPY dyes and gold(I) complexes offer unique photophysical and therapeutic properties.
- Targeted drug delivery enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel red BODIPY-gold(I) theranostic compounds.
- To investigate the impact of biovector conjugation (glucose, bombesin) on compound properties.
- To evaluate the potential of these compounds for cancer theranostic applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of four new red BODIPY-gold(I) complexes.
- Vectorization of complexes with glucose or bombesin derivatives.
- Photophysical characterization (absorption, emission spectra).
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays on cancer and normal cell lines.
- Cellular uptake studies using fluorescence microscopy and ICP-MS.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of four novel red BODIPY-gold(I) compounds.
- Demonstrated photophysical properties suitable for imaging and therapy.
- Differential cytotoxicity observed across various cancer cell lines.
- Evidence of cellular uptake and localization, influenced by biovectorization.
- ICP-MS confirmed gold accumulation in cells.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized BODIPY-gold(I) compounds exhibit promising theranostic potential.
- Biovectorization can enhance targeted cellular uptake and efficacy.
- These compounds represent a new class of agents for cancer theranostics.
- Further in vivo studies are warranted to explore their full therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities.
