A lysosomal targeted NIR photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy and two-photon fluorescence imaging. Issue 4 (11th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Yuping; Zhang, Di; He, Genghan; Liu, Chuang; Tu, Yinuo; Li, Xiang; Zhang, Qianbing; Wu, Xu; Liu, Ruiyuan
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 1009
• Page End: 1017
• Publication Date: 2021-01-11
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0tb02692a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : A lysosome-targeting NIR photosensitizer has been developed for two-photon fluorescence imaging and imaging-guided photodynamic therapy via lysosomal-damage-mediated apoptosis. Abstract : The design and synthesis of near-infrared (NIR) emissive fluorophores for the imaging of organelles and photodynamic therapy have received enormous attention. Hence, the development of NIR emissive fluorophores for high-fidelity lysosome targeting, two-photon fluorescence imaging, and the inducing of photo-triggered cancer-cell apoptosis is highly desirable. In this study, a novel lysosome-targeting two-photon fluorescent photosensitizer (TTRh-CN) is prepared and comprehensively investigated. TTRh-CN demonstrates near-infrared (NIR) emission, good biocompatibility, and superior photostability, and it can act as a two-photon fluorescent agent for the clear visualization of living cells and the vascular system within tissue, with deep-tissue penetration abilities. Furthermore, TTRh-CN can efficiently produce ROS in conjunction with lysosomes in situ upon light irradiation, which can damage lysosomes, up-regulate LC3 and Beclin1, increase BAX release, and induce cell apoptosis. The efficacy of TTRh-CN as a photosensitizer is explored in vivo . All these results confirm that TTRh-CN can serve as a potential platform for the two-photon fluorescence imaging of cells/tissue and for organelle-specific photodynamic therapy.