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A Bivalent Activatable Fluorescent Probe for Screening and Intravital Imaging of Chemotherapy-Induced Cancer Cell
Nicole D Barth1, Lorena Mendive-Tapia1, Ramon Subiros-Funosas1
1Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
The detection and quantification of apoptotic cells is a key process in cancer research, particularly during the screening of anticancer therapeutics and in mechanistic studies using preclinical models. Intravital optical imaging enables high-resolution visualisation of cellular events in live organisms; however, there are few fluorescent probes that can reliably provide functional readouts in situ without interference from tissue autofluorescence. We report the design and optimisation of the fluorogenic probe Apotracker Red for real-time detection of cancer cell death. The strong fluorogenic behaviour, high selectivity, and excellent stability of Apotracker Red make it a reliable optical reporter for the characterisation of the effects of anticancer drugs in cells in vitro and for direct imaging of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in vivo in mouse models of breast cancer.
Insights
Researchers developed Apotracker Red, a novel fluorescent probe for real-time detection of cancer cell death. This tool aids in evaluating anticancer drugs in vitro and imaging chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Accurate detection of apoptotic cells is crucial for cancer research and drug development.
- Existing fluorescent probes often face limitations with tissue autofluorescence in live imaging.
- Intravital optical imaging requires reliable probes for in situ functional readouts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and optimize a fluorogenic probe for real-time apoptosis detection.
- To develop a reliable tool for characterizing anticancer therapeutic effects.
- To enable in vivo imaging of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of the fluorogenic probe Apotracker Red.
- Optimization of probe properties including fluorescence, selectivity, and stability.
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation in breast cancer models.
Main Results:
- Apotracker Red exhibits strong fluorogenic behavior and high selectivity.
- The probe demonstrates excellent stability for reliable optical reporting.
- Successful real-time detection of cancer cell death and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Apotracker Red is an effective tool for real-time apoptosis detection.
- The probe facilitates characterization of anticancer drug effects in vitro and in vivo.
- Apotracker Red offers a reliable method for optical imaging in cancer research.
