Selective viable cell discrimination by a conjugated polymer featuring aggregation-induced emission characteristic

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Selective cell detection is vital for monitoring therapeutic efficacy.
• Existing organic probes have limitations in biocompatibility and selectivity.
• Distinguishing between viable, apoptotic, and dead cells is crucial for accurate biological assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel tetraphenylethene-based conjugated polymer with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
• To evaluate the polymer's capability for selective discrimination of viable cells from other cell types and pathogens.
• To investigate the mechanisms underlying the selective cell discrimination for potential applications in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a tetraphenylethene-based conjugated polymer.
• Characterization of the polymer's aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
• In vitro studies to assess selective cell discrimination against viable, apoptotic, dead cells, and pathogens.
• Investigation of the roles of polymer charge and cellular endocytosis in the discrimination process.

Main Results:

• The synthesized polymer exhibits aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics.
• The polymer demonstrated high selectivity in discriminating viable cells from apoptotic cells, dead cells, and pathogens.
• The negatively charged side-chain of the polymer and cellular endocytosis were identified as key factors in selective discrimination.
• The polymer showed advantages over low-mass organic probes, including enhanced biocompatibility and tracing ability.

Conclusions:

• A novel AIE-active conjugated polymer enables highly selective detection of viable cells.
• The polymer's unique properties facilitate accurate cell discrimination, outperforming traditional probes.
• This probe serves as a valuable tool for guiding precise cancer therapy by monitoring cell viability.