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Using Nanoliposomes To Construct a FRET-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Sensing Intracellular pH Values
Yangyang Zhang1, Shilei Li1,2, Zhenwen Zhao1,2
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|February 15, 2017
Summary
Nanoliposomes efficiently encapsulate fluorophores to create a novel nanosensor for measuring intracellular pH. This biocompatible probe offers rapid cellular uptake and low toxicity, enabling accurate pH monitoring in cells and inflammation studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Intracellular pH (pH) is a critical parameter in cellular function and disease.
- Developing sensitive and biocompatible probes for pH sensing remains a challenge.
- Nanoliposomes offer a promising platform for drug delivery and biosensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-based ratiometric fluorescent probe using nanoliposomes for intracellular pH sensing.
- To evaluate the probe's characteristics, including morphology, stability, biocompatibility, and performance.
- To demonstrate the probe's utility in quantifying intracellular pH in cancer cells and monitoring pH changes during inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Nanoliposomes were synthesized and loaded with fluorescein and cresyl violet fluorophores.
- Characterization of nanoliposome morphology, stability, and interference factors.
- In vitro assessment of cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility using MCF-7 cells.
- Application of the probe for ratiometric fluorescence measurements of intracellular pH.
Main Results:
- The developed fluorophore-encapsulated nanoliposomes (FEN) probe exhibited rapid cellular uptake within 30 minutes.
- The FEN probe demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with no significant impact on cell viability after 24 hours.
- Successful quantitative determination of intracellular pH in MCF-7 cells and pH fluctuations associated with inflammation were achieved.
Conclusions:
- Nanoliposomes provide an effective and low-toxicity platform for constructing advanced fluorescent nanosensors.
- The FRET-based nanoliposome probe is a promising tool for real-time intracellular pH monitoring.
- This approach holds potential for applications in cell biology, diagnostics, and disease research.
