Xilin Bai

A Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Live-Cell Monitoring of Aqueous Sulfides

Aqueous sulfides are emerging signaling agents implicated in various pathological and physiological processes. The development of sensitive and selective methods for the sensing of these sulfides is therefore very important. Herein, we report that the as-synthesized 1-oxo-1H-phenalene-2,3-dicarbonitrile (OPD) compound provides promising fluorescent properties and unique reactive properties toward aqueous sulfides. It was found that OPD showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward Na2S over thiols and other inorganic sulfur compounds through a sulfide involved reaction which was confirmed by high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results. The fluorescence intensity increases linearly with sulfide concentration in the range of 1.0-30 μM with a limit of detection of 52 nM. This novel fluorescent probe was further exploited for the fluorescence imaging sensing of aqueous sulfide in HeLa cells.

Upconversion luminescence tracking of gene delivery via multifunctional nanocapsules

The real-time fluorescence tracking of gene delivery is very important as it helps to figure out how a vector enters a cell and also to follow its fate within the cell interior. Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have shown great potential in biomedical applications in virtue of their unique optical and biological properties. Herein, we report a simple and versatile strategy to fabricate a multifunctional nanocapsule for effective gene delivery and real-time luminescence tracking. The hydrophobic UCNPs were modified by positively charged amphiphilic polymer together with polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) polymer, affording biocompatible nanocapsules with high gene loading capacity and good stability. Red UC luminescence of UCNPs are able to track the delivery of nanocapsules in cells without background fluorescence interference, in the meantime, the green fluorescence of green fluorescence protein (GFP) expressed by the pDNA could subtly monitor the gene transfection efficacy. The results demonstrated that our nanocapsule has ideal biocompatibility, satisfactory gene loading capacity and great bioimaging ability, which is promising for imaging guided cell therapy and gene engineering.

Superfluorinated copper sulfide nanoprobes for simultaneous 19F magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal ablation

Copper sulfide (Cu7S4) nanoparticles coated with an ultra-high payload (~5.0 × 107 fluorine atoms per particle) of fluorinated ligands (oleylamine functionalized 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde, 19FOAm) exhibited a single intense 19F magnetic resonance (MR) signal and efficient near infrared photothermal performance in water medium. In vivo assessment revealed strong 19F MR signals at cancerous lesions and effective inhibition of tumor growth after photothermal treatment, indicating the great potential of these fabricated nanoprobes for simultaneous 19F MR imaging and photothermal therapy.

Multifunctional Cu 1.94 S-Bi 2 S 3 @polymer nanocomposites for computed tomography imaging guided photothermal ablation

The doping of radiocontrast agent such as bismuth (Bi) in copper chalcogenide nanocrystals for computed tomography (CT) imaging guided photothermal therapy (PTT) has drawn increasing attention. However, the doping of Bi often suffers from the weak CT signal due to the low Bi doping concentration and deteriorates the PTT efficacy of copper chalcogenides. Here we report a multifunctional nanoprobe by encapsulating both Cu1.94S and Bi2S3 nanocrystals into a biocompatible poly(amino acid) matrix with size of ~85 nm for CT imaging guided PTT. The amount of nanocrystals and the ratio of Cu1.94S-to-Bi2S3 in the multifunctional nanocomposites (NCs) are tunable toward both high photothermal conversion efficiency (~31%) and excellent CT imaging capability (27.8 HU g L−1). These NCs demonstrate excellent effects for photothermal ablation of tumors after intratumoral injection on 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Our study may provide a facile strategy for the fabrication of multi-functional theranostics towards simultaneous strong CT signal and excellent PTT.摘要铋掺杂硫化铜纳米晶用于CT成像指导的光热治疗已经引起了人们的广泛关注. 然而, 低剂量的铋掺杂CT信号弱, 高剂量铋掺杂又会减弱硫化铜的光热效果. 本文报道了一种多功能纳米探针, 用两亲性高分子将油溶性Cu1.94S和Bi2S3纳米晶同时封装于约85 nm大小的纳米微球中,用于CT成像指导光热治疗. 多功能纳米探针中Cu1.94S和Bi2S3纳米晶的量和比例能够灵活调节, 从而得到较高的光热转换效率(~31%)和良好的CT成像能力(27.8 HU g L−1). 这些纳米探针在4T1荷瘤小鼠进行瘤内注射后, 显示了良好的CT成像与肿瘤光热治疗效果. 该复合纳米探针的制备方法还可用于其他多功能纳米探针的制备.

Fluorine Grafted Cu7S4–Au Heterodimers for Multimodal Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy with High Penetration Depth

We report the multifunctional nanocomposites (NCs) consisting of 19F-moieties grafted Cu7S4-Au nanoparticles (NPs) for negligible background 19F-magnetic resonance imaging (19F-MRI) and computed tomography (CT) imaging guided photothermal therapy. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption can be reasonably tuned to the in vivo transparent window (800-900 nm) by coupling Au (<10 nm, LSPR ∼530 nm) with Cu7S4 (<15 nm, LSPR ∼1500 nm) into Cu7S4-Au heterodimers. The in vivo photothermal tests show that Cu7S4-Au show deeper light penetration with 808 nm irradiation, better photothermal efficacy, and less damage to normal tissues than Cu7S4 with 1500 nm irradiation. Moreover, compared to traditional 1H-MRI, the 19F-MRI based on these NCs demonstrates much better sensitivity due to the negligible background. This work offers a promising strategy for multimodal imaging guided photothermal therapy of deep tissue with good efficacy.

Full-Range pH Stable Au-Clusters in Nanogel for Confinement-Enhanced Emission and Improved Sulfide Sensing in Living Cells

The sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen sulfide is of great importance due to its crucial role in pathological and physiological processes. Herein, we report a novel fluorescent platform, AuNCs@GC, for selective detection of hydrogen sulfide in living cells by impregnating the Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) into a biocompatible cationic polymer matrix, glycol-chitosan (GC) nanogel. The confinement effect significantly increased the emissive Au(I) units, resulting in a 6-fold enhancement of quantum yield (from 6.38% to 36.42%). In addition, the prepared positively charged AuNCs@GC nanogel exhibits excellent selectivity and improved sensitivity to aqueous sulfides. Moreover, the as-fabricated AuNCs@GC showed very good biocompatibility and super fluorescence stability across the full pH range and good salt tolerance, which demonstrated excellent adaptability toward intracellular sulfide imaging.

Colorimetric paper sensor for sensitive detection of explosive nitroaromatics based on Au@Ag nanoparticles

Rapid, reliable, onsite approaches for detection trace level of trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a pressing necessity for both homeland security and environmental protection. To this end, hydrophilic amine(-NH2) protected Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were developed and fabricated as colorimetric paper sensor for delicate detection of TNT. The as-developed nanoprobe selectively reacts with TNT through classic Meisenheimer complex formation by means of charge transfer process from an electron-rich NH2 group of β-cysteamine to an electron-deficient nitro group on TNT. Due to the absence of this particular interaction of other nitroaromatics, the proposed probe is highly selective for TNT detection with a better linear range (0-20 μg/mL) and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.35 μg/mL. The present work provides a novel and facile strategy to fabricate colorimetric paper sensors with rapid and selective recognition ability for label free analysis of TNT.

Exploration of photothermal sensors based on photothermally responsive materials: a brief review

The exploration of novel platforms for highly sensitive and selective detection of species of interest is always demanding. Photothermal sensors have emerged as a novel type of probe, particularly for on-site recognition. Many photothermally responsive materials, including inorganic nanomaterials, organic molecules and biomolecules, have been explored in recent decades for their applications as photothermal sensors. In this review, we will summarize several types of photothermally responsive materials and their applications in sensing. Finally, the prospects and challenges for future developments will be discussed.