A hydrogen peroxide activatable nanoprobe for light-controlled "double-check" multi-colour fluorescence imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Precise bioimaging is crucial for early disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
• Existing photochromic probes have limitations in controlling fluorescence signals for complex bioassays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel light-controlled multicolour fluorescence nanoprobe for precise subcellular bioimaging.
• To enable advanced bioassays and diagnostics through switchable fluorescence imaging.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a polymer nanoparticle encapsulating a photochromic molecule (SP-Np-B) to create Poly-SP-Np-B.
• Investigated the probe's "OFF-ON" red fluorescence response to UV/Vis light.
• Activated the probe with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate green fluorescence and achieve multicolor switching.

Main Results:

• Poly-SP-Np-B demonstrated light-controlled "OFF-ON" red fluorescence and H2O2-activated green fluorescence.
• Achieved rapid, reversible "blinking" fluorescence switching (green/yellow) upon alternate UV/Vis light irradiation.
• Showcased excellent biocompatibility and lysosome distribution for multicolour imaging in live cells.
• Successfully performed light-controlled "double-check" fluorescence imaging at the subcellular level.

Conclusions:

• Developed a new strategy for switchable photochromic probes.
• Poly-SP-Np-B enables precise fluorescence bioassay and bioimaging with multicolor capabilities.
• The probe offers significant potential for advancing biomedical research in disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.