Li Yang, Wu Zhiqin, Huang Zizhao, Yin Chenjia, Tian He, Ma Xiang
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
Natl Sci Rev. 2024 Oct 29;12(2):nwae383. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae383. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Organic red/near-infrared (NIR) room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) holds significant potential for autofluorescence-free bioimaging and biosensing due to its prolonged persistent luminescence and exceptional penetrability. However, achieving activatable red/NIR organic RTP probes with tunable emission in aqueous solution remains a formidable challenge. Here we report on aqueous organic RTP probes with red/NIR phosphorescence intensity and lifetime amplification. These probes consist of supramolecular assemblies comprising macrocyclic cucurbit[8]uril and amine-containing alkyl-bridged pyridiniums, exhibiting viscosity-activatable phosphorescence with enhanced quantum yield (≤20%) and lifetime. Notably, by utilizing this activatable organic RTP probe, we successfully achieve two-photon imaging of lysosomal viscosity and millisecond-scale time-resolved cell imaging. Moreover, intravital phosphorescence imaging by using an RTP probe enables the monitoring of viscosity variations in inflammatory mice, demonstrating a significantly improved signal-to-background ratio compared with fluorescence imaging. This activatable red/NIR supramolecular platform facilitates versatile high-resolution phosphorescence imaging for tracking of specific biomarkers and physiological events.
有机红色/近红外（NIR）室温磷光（RTP）由于其持久的持续发光和出色的穿透性，在无自发荧光生物成像和生物传感方面具有巨大潜力。然而，在水溶液中实现具有可调发射的可激活红色/近红外有机RTP探针仍然是一项艰巨的挑战。在此，我们报道了具有红色/近红外磷光强度和寿命放大的水性有机RTP探针。这些探针由包含大环葫芦[8]脲和含胺烷基桥联吡啶鎓的超分子组装体组成，表现出具有增强量子产率（≤20%）和寿命的粘度可激活磷光。值得注意的是，通过使用这种可激活有机RTP探针，我们成功实现了溶酶体粘度的双光子成像和毫秒级时间分辨细胞成像。此外，使用RTP探针进行活体磷光成像能够监测炎症小鼠中的粘度变化，与荧光成像相比，显示出显著提高的信噪比。这个可激活的红色/近红外超分子平台有助于进行多功能高分辨率磷光成像，以追踪特定生物标志物和生理事件。
