Ratiometric Detection of β-Amyloid and Discrimination from Lectins by a Supramolecular AIE Glyconanoparticle

While the development of AIE (aggregation-induced-emission) based fluorimetric probes for biological applications has been an active research area, probes with a ratiometric signal for biomolecular recognition have been rare. Here, a ratiometric AIE glyconanoparticle formed by the supramolecular assembly between a silole-based AIEgen and fluorescent glycoprobes for the detection of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and fibrils, which are a signature of neurological disorders such as the Alzheimer's disease, is shown. Complexation of glycoprobes with the AIEgen produces an intensive fluorescence emission of the former because of a Förster resonance energy transfer between the two molecules. Subsequently, the presence of Aβ dissembles the particle, producing a fluorescence emission of the AIEgen. Interestingly, the addition of lectins that selectively recognize the glycoprobes results in a different ratiometric response of the particle, thereby enabling a discrimination from Aβ detection. This research offers insight into the simple construction of multifunctional ratiometric probes based on the supramolecular hybridization of a wide variety of AIEgens with fluorescent molecular probes.