高灵敏荧光探针用于肿瘤Ramos细胞的快速检测

本文以聚苯乙烯纳米微球为载体,基于适体特异性识别和DNA杂交原理,组装了一种DNA-CdTe量子点纳米线,制备了具有较高荧光强度的复合型荧光探针,并成功用于Ramos细胞的荧光成像。该探针可以用于特异性识别肿瘤细胞,在荧光成像中信号强灵敏度高,为肿瘤细胞的检测提供一种新方法。     

米糠蛋白的提取及其在食品领域中的应用

基于共价结合原理,以CdTe量子点和介孔二氧化硅为基础,设计和制备了DNA-CdTe/介孔二氧化硅荧光探针.CdTe量子点具有较强的荧光性能,所用DNA适体链是Ramos细胞的识别序列,所以此探针可特异性识别Ramos细胞,并用于激光共聚焦显微镜对Ramos细胞的荧光成像.本工作为肿瘤细胞的早期诊断提供了一定的理论依据.     

PNAS：肿瘤活体实时成像技术新思路

在国家自然科学基金等的资助下,湖南大学化学生物传感与计量学国家重点实验室王柯敏课题组在核酸适配体的肿瘤活体荧光分子成像研究中。首次提出了基于细胞膜蛋白触发构型变化的”激活式核酸适配体探针”概念,设计合成了一种针对肿瘤细胞特异性表达蛋白的探针。显著提高了肿瘤细胞成像反差,缩短了检测时间,并成功用于裸鼠肿瘤活体实时荧光成像。     

FTS与NIRF共轭化合物用于小鼠肿瘤模型的成像和治疗

目的研究法尼基硫代水杨酸(farnesylthiosalicylic Acid,FTS)与七甲川菁(heptamethine carbocyanine)近红外(near infrared,NIR)荧光染料共轭化合物的肿瘤靶向性及其在活体成像中的应用,明确该化合物对肿瘤生长的抑制作用。方法将人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、胶质瘤细胞U251和前列腺癌细胞PC3培养至对数生长期后,分别加入不同浓度的FTS和FTS-IR783,观察两种化合物对肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用;培养的三种肿瘤细胞中加入FTS-IR783(20μmol/L),荧光显微镜下观察荧光染料在肿瘤细胞中的聚集;将三种肿瘤细胞(每只1×10~6个)皮下移植裸鼠,两周后荷瘤鼠腹腔注射FTS-IR783(每只10 nmol/L),活体成像分别测定肿瘤部位近红外荧光信号和肿瘤体积的相关性。结果与FTS相比较,FTS-IR783可显著抑制MCF-7、U251和PC3的生长;三种肿瘤细胞可特异性识别FTS-IR783,呈现近红外荧光集聚;皮下荷瘤模型注射FTS-IR783后,活体成像显示肿瘤部位荧光强度与生物发光强度相关性分别达到0.987,0.998和0.971。结论 FTS与近红外荧光染料IR-783共轭结合后可特异性识别肿瘤细胞,用于肿瘤模型的活体成像,同时该化合物具有的肿瘤靶向性可显著抑制肿瘤细胞的生长,有望成为新型的靶向药物。     

基于核酸适配子W3量子点探针的转移性大肠癌靶向成像

目的核酸适配子W3偶联量子点QD605制备特异性探针(W3-QD),并对大肠癌细胞以及临床大肠癌组织石蜡切片标本进行靶向成像。方法荧光显微镜分析W3-QD对混合培养细胞中靶细胞LoVo的特异性识别能力;利用W3-QD对不同种类细胞进行特异性成像并扫描定量,同时利用流式细胞术对其进行验证;进一步利用W3-QD对临床大肠癌患者组织标本进行特异性成像。结果 W3-QD能够特异性识别混合细胞培养中的LoVo细胞,并能够对不同种类的细胞进行定量成像,与流式细胞术的结果一致;将W3-QD进一步用于临床患者组织标本上,能对转移性大肠癌患者的癌组织进行靶向成像作用。结论核酸适配子-量子点(W3-QD)探针荧光检测技术可应用于转移性大肠癌患者癌组织的靶向成像。     

胃癌血管靶向肽GX1修饰的人血清白蛋白用于胃癌近红外活体成像

目的:以肿瘤血管靶向肽GX1修饰的人血清白蛋白(HSA)作为吲哚菁绿(ICG)的载体,合成近红外荧光探针GX1-HSA-ICG,研究其作为近红外荧光探针在荷人胃癌裸鼠活体中的靶向成像能力。方法:以HSA作为ICG的载体,通过化学修饰与GX1共价连接,合成GX1-HSA-ICG纳米颗粒探针;使用SDS-PAGE对探针合成进行鉴定;采用探针与脐静脉内皮细胞HUVEC以及与肿瘤细胞共培养的脐静脉内皮细胞Co-HUVEC进行结合和竞争抑制试验,验证探针和Co-HUVEC细胞结合的特异性;利用小动物活体成像系统对皮下荷胃癌小鼠进行近红外荧光活体成像,验证探针在体内的胃癌靶向性。结果:成功合成GX1-HSA-ICG。细胞结合与竞争抑制实验显示GX1-HSA-ICG可与Co-HUVEC细胞特异性结合;荷瘤小鼠活体成像也显示出GX1-HSA-ICG较ICG有更长体内的循环时间,并且胃癌组织局部较HSA-ICG有更强的聚集。结论:本研究成功合成了胃癌血管靶向肽GX1修饰的HSA为荧光染料载体的胃癌血管靶向探针,成功对荷胃癌裸鼠进行了活体成像。使用HSA为载体的探针较单纯使用ICG的肿瘤局部滞留能力显著提高,GX1增加了探针的胃癌靶向特异性。该探针在胃癌的早期诊断和抗肿瘤血管生成治疗评估中具有潜在的应用价值。     

新型七甲川菁染料用作肿瘤模型活体成像的研究进展

一种近红外荧光(NIRF)七甲川菁染料不需要化学修饰,可直接被肿瘤细胞吸收呈特异性聚集,从而可用于肿瘤活体成像。这种染料在肿瘤细胞与正常细胞之间的摄取差异可能是由于特异型有机阴离子转运肽的作用,并受到低氧条件控制。这些特性将会拓展NIRF类染料在肿瘤成像研究中的应用。     

新型近红外荧光探针MHI85在胆道系统成像的实验研究

目的:观察一种新型近红外荧光探针MHI85在器官中的成像特点,寻找特异性的器官成像荧光探针,为手术提供帮助。方法:用海洋光学测量系统检测近红外荧光探针MHI85的吸光度和荧光强度,分析其光学特点。随后将近红外荧光探针MHI85注射到CD-1小鼠体内,4小时后观察小鼠体内腹腔、胆囊和胆管、离体小鼠腹部脏器的近红外荧光成像情况。并测量离体脏器的信号背景比(SBR)。结果:近红外荧光探针MHI85最大吸收峰值和荧光峰值分别在690 nm和713 nm,说明其发光谱在700 nm左右,且成像稳定。利用小动物活体成像系统发现,近红外荧光探针MHI85在小鼠胆囊、胆囊管、左右肝管、肝总管可见明显荧光信号。心、肺、肝、胰、脾、肾、十二指肠、小肠均无荧光信号,而胆囊中可见明显的荧光信号。离体脏器SBR结果显示,胆囊的SBR明显高于其他脏器。结论:近红外荧光分子探针MHI85对胆囊及胆道系统具有良好的靶向性,且成像清晰、定位准确。     

七甲川菁近红外荧光染料对胃癌原位移植模型的靶向识别

目的研究七甲川菁近红外荧光(NIRF)染料在胃癌原位移植模型活体成像中的应用效果。方法将标记荧光酶素的人胃癌细胞系Hep G2原位移植裸鼠建立肿瘤模型,同时诱发制备胃溃疡模型;对上述模型分别采用生物发光成像和NIRF成像,观察胃癌组织对近红外荧光染料的吸收;探索缺氧和阴离子转运肽(OATP)对胃癌组织吸收NIRF染料的影响,明确NIRF染料靶向识别肿瘤细胞的特异性。结果 NIRF信号与生物发光信号在胃癌原位移植模型活体成像中具有较好的相关性。胃癌组织部位可获得较强的NIRF荧光信号,而胃溃疡部位未检测到荧光信号。缺氧能够增强胃癌细胞对NIRF染料的吸收,而阴离子转运肽特异性抑制剂磺溴酞钠(BSP)能够显著降低肿瘤细胞对NIRF染料的吸收。结论七甲川菁近红外荧光染料能够靶向识别胃癌原位移植模型。     

环化荧光蛋白生物探针荧光寿命成像研究进展

环化荧光蛋白探针作为一种新型的基因编码生物探针,是由荧光蛋白和对探测物有特异性响应的结合域蛋白构成的。由于其独特的构造方式使其在对探测物检测时具有较高的灵敏度和较大的动态范围,引起了越来越多科学家的兴趣,已发展成为监测生命活动的一种强有力工具。目前越来越多基于环化荧光蛋白技术开发的生物探针被广泛的应用于生物成像、药物筛选、细胞代谢物检测等领域,并发挥出了越来越大的作用。但是,这类探针目前仍然存在着开发工作量大,部分发光强度较弱及测量方法受限等问题,解决这些问题还需要科学家们不断的努力。对环化荧光蛋白生物探针进行综述,主要介绍了环化荧光蛋白生物探针的设计方法,已有探针的种类和基本性质,现阶段的发展状况以及存在的问题。另外,介绍了多种检测方法在环化荧光蛋白生物探针上面的使用,特别是近期出现的荧光寿命成像技术在其应用上的进展,比较了这些检测方法的优劣,旨在从多方面阐述环化荧光蛋白生物探针的发展现状,以便能给相关研究者提供一些参考和启发。     

Dual probe with fluorescent and magnetic properties for imaging solid tumor xenografts

A dual probe with fluorescent and magnetic reporter groups was constructed by linkage of the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent transferrin conjugate (Tf(NIR)) on the surface of contrast agent-encapsulated cationic liposome (Lip-CA). This probe was used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging of MDA-MB-231-luc breast cancer cells grown as a monolayer in vitro and as solid tumor xenografts in nude mice. Confocal microscopy, optical imaging, and MRI showed a dramatic increase of in vitro cellular uptake of the fluorescent and magnetic reporter groups from the probe compared with the uptake of contrast agent or Lip-CA alone. Pretreatment with transferrin (Tf) blocked uptake of the probe reporters, indicating the importance and specificity of the Tf moiety for targeting. Intravenous administration of the dual probe to nude mice significantly enhanced the tumor contrast in MRI, and preferential accumulation of the fluorescent signal was clearly seen in NIR-based optical images. More interestingly, the contrast enhancement in MRI showed a heterogeneous pattern within tumors, which reflected the tumor's morphologic heterogeneity. These results indicate that the newly developed dual probe enhances the tumor image contrast and is superior to contrast agent alone for identifying the tumor pathologic features on the basis of MRI but also is suitable for NIR-based optical imaging.     

Osteopontin-targeted probe detects orthotopic breast cancers using optoacoustic imaging

Improved detection of breast cancer using highly sensitive, tumor-specific imaging would facilitate diagnosis, surveillance and assessment of response to treatment. We conjugated osteopontin peptide to an infrared fluorescent dye to serve as a contrast agent for detection of breast cancer by multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). Selective binding of the osteopontin-based probe was identified using flow cytometry and near infrared fluorescent imaging in triple negative and HER2 positive breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Osteopontin-750 accumulation was evaluated in vivo using MSOT with secondary confirmation of signal accumulation using near infrared fluorescent imaging. The osteopontin-based probe demonstrated binding to breast cancer cells in vitro. Similarly, after intravenous administration of the osteopontin-750 probe, it accumulated preferentially in the subcutaneous breast tumor in nude mice (557 MSOT a.u. compared to untargeted organs such as kidney (53.7 MSOT a.u.) and liver (32.1 MSOT a.u.). At 2.5 h post-injection, signal intensity within the tumor was 9.7 and 17 times greater in the tumor bed than in the kidney or liver, respectively. Fluorescence imaging ex vivo comparing tumor signal to that of nontarget organs confirmed the results in vivo. MSOT imaging demonstrated selective accumulation of the fluorescent osteopontin targeting probe to tumor sites both in vitro and in vivo, and provided high-resolution images. Further development of this tool is promising for advanced diagnostic imaging, disease surveillance and therapeutic models that limit nontarget toxicity.     

Detection and analysis of tumor fluorescence using a two-photon optical fiber probe

The utility of a two-photon optical fiber fluorescence probe (TPOFF) for sensing and quantifying tumor fluorescent signals was tested in vivo. Xenograft tumors were developed in athymic mice using MCA207 cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). The TPOFF probe was able to detect ex vivo fluorescence from excised tumors containing as little as 0.3% GFP-expressing cells. TPOFF results were similar to both flow-cytometric analysis of tumor cells after isolation and suspension, and fluorescence determined by microscope images of cryosectioned tumors. TPOFF was then used to measure GFP fluorescence from tumors in live mice. The fiber probe detected fluorescently-labeled Herceptin antibody targeted to HER2-expressing tumors in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Dendrimer nanoparticles targeted by folic acid and having 6-TAMRA as a fluorescent probe were also used to label KB cell tumors in vivo. The fiber probe documented a fourfold increase in tumor fluorescence in animals that received the targeted dendrimer. These results suggest TPOFF can be used as a minimally invasive system for identifying tumor markers and monitoring drug therapy.     

A Versatile Technique for the In Vivo Imaging of Human Tumor Xenografts Using Near-Infrared Fluorochrome-Conjugated Macromolecule Probes

Here, we present a versatile method for detecting human tumor xenografts in vivo, based on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, using near-infrared (NIR) fluorochrome-conjugated macromolecule probes. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and two immunoglobulins—an anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) monoclonal antibody and isotype control IgG_2a—were labeled with XenoLight CF770 fluorochrome and used as NIR-conjugated macromolecule probes to study whole-body imaging in a variety of xenotransplantation mouse models. NIR fluorescent signals were observed in subcutaneously transplanted BxPC-3 (human pancreatic cancer) cells and HCT 116 (colorectal cancer) cells within 24 h of NIR-macromolecule probe injection, but the signal from the fluorochrome itself or from the NIR-conjugated small molecule (glycine) injection was not observed. The accuracy of tumor targeting was confirmed by the localization of the NIR-conjugated immunoglobulin within the T-HCT 116 xenograft (in which the orange-red fluorescent protein tdTomato was stably expressed by HCT 116 cells) in the subcutaneous transplantation model. However, there was no significant difference in the NIR signal intensity of the region of interest between the anti-HLA antibody group and the isotype control group in the subcutaneous transplantation model. Therefore, the antibody accumulation within the tumor in vivo is based on the EPR effect. The liver metastasis generated by an intrasplenic injection of T-HCT 116 cells was clearly visualized by the NIR-conjugated anti-HLA probe but not by the orange-red fluorescent signal derived from the tdTomato reporter. This result demonstrated the superiority of the NIR probes over the tdTomato reporter protein at enhancing tissue penetration. In another xenograft model, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of LC11-JCK (human non-small cell lung cancer) were successfully visualized using the NIR-conjugated macromolecule probe without any genetic modification. These results suggested that NIR-conjugated macromolecule, preferably, anti-HLA antibody probe is a valuable tool for the detection of human tumors in experimental metastasis models using whole-body imaging.     

Oxygen sensitivity of reporter genes: implications for preclinical imaging of tumor hypoxia

Reporter gene techniques have been applied toward studying the physiologic phenomena associated with tumor hypoxia, a negative prognostic indicator. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential adverse effects of hypoxic conditions on the effectiveness of four commonly used reporter genes: Renilla luciferase, monomeric red fluorescent protein, thymidine kinase, and lacZ. Tumor-forming A375 cells expressing a trifusion reporter consisting of Renilla luciferase, monomeric red fluorescent protein, and thymidine kinase were subjected to decreasing oxygen tensions and assayed for reporter expression and activity. A375 cells expressing beta-galactosidase were similarly exposed to hypoxia, with activity of the reporter monitored by cleavage of the fluorescent substrate 7-hydroxy-9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-one)-beta-galactoside (DDAOG). Generation of signal in in vivo tumor models expressing bioluminescent or beta-galactosidase reporters were also examined over the course of hypoxic stresses, either by tumor clamping or the antivascular agent 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA). Our findings indicate that bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter activity are decreased under hypoxia despite minimal variations in protein production, whereas beta-galactosidase reporter activity per unit protein was unchanged. These results demonstrate that combining beta-galactosidase with the DDAOG optical probe may be a robust reporter system for the in vivo study of tumor hypoxia.     

Fluorescent "Turn-on" system utilizing a quencher-conjugated peptide for specific protein labeling of living cells

A specific protein fluorescent labeling method has been used as a tool for bio-imaging in living cells. We developed a novel system of switching “fluorescent turn on” by the recognition of a fluorescent probe to a hexahistidine-tagged (His-tag) protein. The tetramethyl rhodamine bearing three nitrilotriacetic acids, which was used as a fluorescent probe to target a His-tagged protein, formed a reversible complex with the quencher, (Dabcyl)-conjugated oligohistidines, in the homogeneous solution, causing fluorescence of the fluorophore to be quenched. The complex when applied to living cells (COS-7) expressing His-tagged proteins on the cell surface caused the quencher-conjugated oligohistidines to be dissociated from the complex by specific binding of the fluorescent probe to the tagged protein, resulting in the fluorescent emission. The complex that did not participate in the binding event remained in the quenched state to maintain a low level of background fluorescence.     

Detection of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in vivo with a triple-helical peptide optical probe

We report a novel activatable NIR fluorescent probe for in vivo detection of cancer-related matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. The probe is based on a triple-helical peptide substrate (THP) with high specificity for MMP-2 and MMP-9 relative to other members of the MMP family. MMP-2 and MMP-9 (also known as gelatinases) are specifically associated with cancer cell invasion and cancer-related angiogenesis. At the center of each 5 kDa peptide strand is a gelatinase sensitive sequence flanked by 2 Lys residues conjugated with NIR fluorescent dyes. Upon self-assembly of the triple-helical structure, the 3 peptide chains intertwine, bringing the fluorophores into close proximity and reducing fluorescence via quenching. Upon enzymatic cleavage of the triple-helical peptide, 6 labeled peptide chains are released, resulting in an amplified fluorescent signal. The fluorescence yield of the probe increases 3.8-fold upon activation. Kinetic analysis showed a rate of LS276-THP hydrolysis by MMP-2 (k(cat)/K(M) = 30,000 s(-1) M(-1)) similar to that of MMP-2 catalysis of an analogous fluorogenic THP. Administration of LS276-THP to mice bearing a human fibrosarcoma xenografted tumor resulted in a tumor fluorescence signal more than 5-fold greater than that of muscle. This signal enhancement was reduced by treatment with the MMP inhibitor Ilomostat, indicating that the observed tumor fluorescence was indeed enzyme mediated. These results are the first to demonstrate that triple-helical peptides are suitable for highly specific in vivo detection of tumor-related MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity.     

Near-infrared pH-activatable fluorescent probes for imaging primary and metastatic breast tumors

Highly tumor selective near-infrared (NIR) pH-activatable probe was developed by conjugating pH-sensitive cyanine dye to a cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide targeting α(v)β(3) integrin (ABIR), a protein that is highly overexpressed in endothelial cells during tumor angiogenesis. The NIR pH-sensitive dye used to construct the probe exhibits high spectral sensitivity with pH changes. It has negligible fluorescence above pH 6 but becomes highly fluorescent below pH 5, with a pK(a) of 4.7. This probe is ideal for imaging acidic cell organelles such as tumor lysosomes or late endosomes. Cell microscopy data demonstrate that binding of the cRGD probe to ABIR facilitated the endocytosis-mediated lysosomal accumulation and subsequent fluorescence enhancement of the NIR pH-activatable dye in tumor cells (MDA-MB-435 and 4T1/luc). A similar fluorescence enhancement mechanism was observed in vivo, where the tumors were evident within 4 h post injection. Moreover, lung metastases were also visualized in an orthotopic tumor mouse model using this probe, which was further confirmed by histologic analysis. These results demonstrate the potential of using the new integrin-targeted pH-sensitive probe for the detection of primary and metastatic cancer.     

Fluorescent sensors based on quinoline‐containing styrylcyanine: determination of ferric ions,hydrogen peroxide,and glucose,pH‐sensitive properties and bioimaging

A novel styrylcyanine‐based fluorescent probe 1 was designed and synthesized via facile methods. Ferric ions quenched the fluorescence of probe 1, whereas the addition of ferrous ions led to only small changes in the fluorescence signal. When hydrogen peroxide was introduced into the solution containing probe 1 and Fe²⁺, Fe²⁺ was oxidized to Fe³⁺, resulting in the quenching of the fluorescence. The probe 1/Fe²⁺ solution fluorescence could also be quenched by H₂O₂ released from glucose oxidation by glucose oxidase (GOD), which means that probe 1/Fe²⁺ platform could be used to detect glucose. Probe 1 is fluorescent in basic and neutral media but almost non‐fluorescent in strong acidic environments. Such behaviour enables it to work as a fluorescent pH sensor in both the solution and solid states and as a chemosensor for detecting volatile organic compounds with high acidity and basicity. Subsequently, the fluorescence microscopic images of probe 1 in live cells and in zebrafish were achieved successfully, suggesting that the probe has good cell membrane permeability and a potential application for imaging in living cells and living organisms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of the emission efficiency of four common green fluorescence dyes after internalization into cancer cells

In vivo optical imaging to enhance the detection of cancer during endoscopy or surgery requires a targeted fluorescent probe with high emission efficiency and high signal-to-background ratio. One strategy to accurately detect cancers is to have the fluorophore internalize within the cancer cells permitting nonbound fluorophores to be washed away or absorbed. The choice of fluorophores for this task must be carefully considered. For depth of penetration, near-infrared probes are ordinarily preferred but suffer from relatively low quantum efficiency. Although green fluorescent protein has been widely used to image tumors on internal organs in mice, green fluorescent probes are better suited for imaging the superficial tissues because of the short penetration distance of green light in tissue and the highly efficient production of signal. While the fluorescence properties of green fluorophores are well-known in vitro, less attention has been paid to their fluorescence once they are internalized within cells. In this study, the emission efficiency after cellular internalization of four common green fluorophores conjugated to avidin (Av-fluorescein, Av-Oregon green, Av-BODIPY-FL, and Av-rhodamine green) were compared after each conjugate was incubated with SHIN3 ovarian cancer cells. Using the lectin binding receptor system, the avidin-fluorophore conjugates were endocytosed, and their fluorescence was evaluated with fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. While fluorescein demonstrated the highest signal outside the cell, among the four fluorophores, internalized Av-rhodamine green emitted the most light from SHIN3 ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The internalized Av-rhodamine green complex appeared to localize to the endoplasmic vesicles. Thus, among the four common green fluorescent dyes, rhodamine green is the brightest green fluorescence probe after cellular internalization. This information could have implications for the design of tumor-targeted fluorescent probes that rely on cellular internalization for cancer detection.