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An AIE-active near-infrared molecular probe for migrasome labeling
Jie Cui1, Fei Zhang2, Dong Jiang3
1Center for AIE Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China; School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China.
Abstract:
Migrasomes, newly identified organelles, play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological activities, including embryogenesis, immune responses, wound healing, and metastasis of cancer cells. Migrasome visualization is essential for the deep exploration of migrasome biology. Despite the reported labeling methods based on migrasome marker proteins, a simple and convenient method for migrasome labeling is more desirable compared to the complicated transfection technique. Here, an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) based near-infrared (NIR) molecular probe named TTCPy was presented, which can bind to the phospholipid on migrasomes and light up migrasomes with a turn-on NIR fluorescence. TTCPy allows for high-performance imaging of migrasomes in both live cells and living chorioallantoic membranes via simple and rapid staining. Moreover, TTCPy achieves live-cell super-resolution imaging of migrasomes, affording remarkedly improved spatial resolution and signal-to-background ratio. This work offers a simple yet powerful tool for migrasome visualization and will contribute to the booming hotspot of migrasome biology.
Insights
Researchers developed TTCPy, a novel molecular probe for visualizing migrasomes. This simple staining method enables high-performance imaging of these crucial organelles in live cells and tissues, advancing migrasome biology research.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Migrasomes are newly identified organelles involved in critical physiological and pathological processes.
- Effective visualization of migrasomes is essential for understanding their biological functions.
- Existing labeling methods often rely on complex transfection techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, convenient, and effective method for migrasome labeling and visualization.
- To introduce a novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) based near-infrared (NIR) molecular probe for migrasomes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of the TTCPy molecular probe.
- Utilizing TTCPy for rapid staining and high-performance imaging of migrasomes in live cells.
- Applying TTCPy for live-cell super-resolution imaging of migrasomes.
- Testing TTCPy in living chorioallantoic membranes.
Main Results:
- TTCPy successfully binds to phospholipids on migrasomes, enabling turn-on NIR fluorescence.
- High-performance imaging of migrasomes was achieved in live cells and chorioallantoic membranes.
- Super-resolution imaging demonstrated improved spatial resolution and signal-to-background ratio for migrasomes.
Conclusions:
- TTCPy provides a simple, rapid, and powerful tool for migrasome visualization.
- This probe facilitates advanced imaging techniques like super-resolution microscopy for migrasomes.
- The study contributes significantly to the growing field of migrasome biology.
