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Synthesis, Cellular Delivery and In vivo Application of Dendrimer-based pH Sensors
Published on: September 10, 2013
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Simultaneous imaging of intracellular pH and O2 using functionalized semiconducting polymer dots
1Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. xichen@xmu.edu.cn.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Researchers created novel polymer dots (Pdots) for simultaneous intracellular pH and oxygen imaging. These Pdots offer a bright, low-toxicity solution for dual sensing in cells using conventional fluorescence microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate intracellular pH and oxygen monitoring is crucial for understanding cellular processes.
- Existing sensing methods often lack simultaneous dual-analyte detection capabilities or require specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) for simultaneous imaging of intracellular pH and oxygen.
- To evaluate the suitability of these Pdots for dual sensing applications in live cells.
Main Methods:
- Functionalized semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) were synthesized using poly[9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl] (PFO), amino terminated polystyrene, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for pH sensing, and Pt(ii) meso-tetra(pentafluorophenyl)porphine (PtTFPP) for oxygen sensing.
- Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was utilized within the Pdots, with PFO acting as the donor.
- The Pdots were characterized for their optical properties, cellular uptake via endocytosis, brightness, particle size, and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- The developed Pdots exhibited triple-color emission (red, green, blue) under a single excitation wavelength, matching standard microscopy channels.
- The nanosensor demonstrated high brightness, small particle size, and a large two-photon absorbance cross-section.
- The Pdots showed efficient cellular uptake via endocytosis with low observed toxicity to cells.
Conclusions:
- The novel functionalized Pdots are effective for simultaneous intracellular pH and oxygen imaging.
- Their advantageous properties, including triple-color emission and low toxicity, make them promising for dual sensing in cellular environments using conventional fluorescence microscopy.
