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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
ROS Live Cell Imaging During Neuronal Development
Published on: February 9, 2021
Dual-Functional Nanoplatform for Highly Controllable ROS Generation and Monitoring in ROS-Mediated Therapy
Yifei Guo1, Pei Wang1, Yiwen Yan1
1College of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Construction of Functional Molecules and Their Bioanalytical Applications, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are being explored as a potential treatment, but accurate assessment of their efficacy is hindered by the dual roles of therapeutic intervention and diagnostic monitoring. Especially, ROS can alter lysosomal polarity by increasing membrane permeability. Therefore, ROS generation can be evaluated by monitoring the polarity changes of lysosomes. Hence, in this study, we developed a new lysosomal polarity-responsive carbon dot nanozyme (LF-CDs) that exerts peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity under light irradiation for controllable generation of ROS and sensing of ROS levels via lysosomal polarity response. Western blot analysis revealed that LF-CDs induced adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation within cells through the generation of ROS, effectively regulating intracellular glucose metabolism. Importantly, the ROS produced by LF-CDs can cause lysosomal polarity variation and trigger a corresponding fluorescence change in LF-CDs, reflecting the generation of ROS and enabling in situ monitoring of the regulation of glucose metabolism by ROS. By combining photocatalytic property with fluorescence imaging, this work overcomes the limitations of traditional ROS monitoring, offering a new insight into the evaluation of the biological effects of ROS during therapeutic processes.
Insights
This study introduces lysosomal polarity-responsive carbon dot nanozymes (LF-CDs) for monitoring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during therapy. LF-CDs enable precise assessment of ROS effects on cellular glucose metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have therapeutic potential but assessing their efficacy is challenging due to dual roles.
- ROS can alter lysosomal polarity, offering a method for monitoring ROS generation.
- Current ROS monitoring methods have limitations in therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel lysosomal polarity-responsive carbon dot nanozyme (LF-CDs) for ROS sensing and generation.
- To evaluate the LF-CDs' ability to monitor ROS-induced changes in cellular glucose metabolism.
- To combine photocatalytic activity with fluorescence imaging for improved ROS assessment.
Main Methods:
- Development of LF-CDs with peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity under light irradiation.
- Utilizing LF-CDs to induce and sense ROS generation via lysosomal polarity changes.
- Employing Western blot analysis to assess AMPK phosphorylation and intracellular glucose metabolism.
Main Results:
- LF-CDs demonstrated controllable ROS generation and sensing capabilities.
- ROS produced by LF-CDs induced AMPK phosphorylation, regulating glucose metabolism.
- LF-CDs showed fluorescence changes correlating with lysosomal polarity variations, enabling in situ ROS monitoring.
Conclusions:
- LF-CDs provide a novel platform for evaluating ROS biological effects during therapeutic processes.
- This approach overcomes limitations of traditional ROS monitoring techniques.
- LF-CDs offer new insights into ROS-mediated regulation of cellular metabolism.
