Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Chem., 23 February 2021
Sec. Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
This article is part of the Research Topic Reactive Oxygen Species-Based Nanomaterials for Advanced Biomedical Applications View all 12 articles

NIR Photosensitizer for Two-Photon Fluorescent Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy of Tumor

Lujia Chen&#x;Lujia Chen1Meijuan Chen&#x;Meijuan Chen2Yuping ZhouYuping Zhou3Changsheng Ye
Changsheng Ye1*Ruiyuan Liu
Ruiyuan Liu3*
  • 1Breast Center, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
  • 2State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
  • 3Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

Preparation of near-infrared (NIR) emissive fluorophore for imaging-guided PDT (photodynamic therapy) has attracted enormous attention. Hence, NIR photosensitizers of two-photon (TP) fluorescent imaging and photodynamic therapy are highly desirable. In this contribution, a novel D-π-A structured NIR photosensitizer (TTRE) is synthesized. TTRE demonstrates near-infrared (NIR) emission, good biocompatibility, and superior photostability, which can act as TP fluorescent agent for clear visualization of cells and vascular in tissue with deep-tissue penetration. The PDT efficacy of TTRE as photosensitizer is exploited in vitro and in vivo. All these results confirm that TTRE would serve as potential platform for TP fluorescence imaging and imaging-guided photodynamic therapy.

Introduction

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a noninvasive treatment procedure has attracted enormous attention due to its selective destroy of local lesions (Dai et al., 2019; Li et al., 2016; Kwiatkowski et al., 2018). As an important element of PDT, photosensitizers transfer light energy to oxygen and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which destruct the morphology and function of cells, and ultimately result in cancer cell damage and apoptosis (Dai et al., 2020; Li et al., 2018; Zhou et al., 2016). Hence, the development of efficient photosensitizers has become the focus of attention, and various kinds of photosensitizers have been produced (Wang et al., 2018a; Xiao et al., 2020; Huo et al., 2020; Lindem and Vazquez, 2020).

As a noninvasive biological imaging modality, NIR fluorescence imaging techniques supplies powerful tool to visualize cell biological events from molecules levels, subtle cellular structures to complete organisms with high spatiotemporal resolution (Kim et al., 2017; Kobayashi et al., 2010; Li et al., 2018; Hu et al., 2020). However, fluorescent imaging has some limitations including high photodamage, low penetration, and high photobleaching. Compare to conventional fluorescence imaging technology, two-photon (TP) fluorescence imaging exhibits various merits such as low photodamage, deep penetration, high spatial resolution, and has attracted much attention for use in intravital imaging of vasculature and tissues (Kim and Cho, 2015; Kuo et al., 2020; Qin et al., 2020).

Hence, in terms of photosensitizers, the coupling of ROS production with NIR emission has been utilized for imaging-guided PDT, which has acted as a promising alternative for cancer treatment (Shen et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2017; Zhu et al., 2017; Dudek et al., 2020; Yan et al., 2021). An ideal photosensitizer for imaging-guided PDT should possess properties, such as negligible dark toxicity, bright NIR emission, good photostability, ROS generation capacity, and biocompatibility (Li et al., 2018; Sarcan et al., 2018). In recent years, various NIR photosensitizers have been prepared for imaging-guided PDT of tumor, including porphyrin, chlorin, phthalocyanine, and BODIPY derivatives (Liu et al., 2016; Pan et al., 2019; Szurko et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020a). However, these NIR photosensitizers suffer from several intrinsic drawbacks, such as small Stokes' shift, poor photostability, and unsatisfied biocompatibility. Thereby, it is meaningful to develop new NIR photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumor.

NIR fluorophores containing D-π-A structure have been proven to be an excellent candidate for imaging-guided photodynamic therapy owing to the NIR emission and high ROS generation efficient (Leitl et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2018; Yuan et al., 2020). Besides, photosensitizers with D-π-A structure have strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), which reduce electronic bandgaps, extend absorption and emission wavelengths, enhance the two-photon absorption properties of fluorophore, and facilitate ROS generation (Pawlicki et al., 2009; Wu et al., 2017; Niu et al., 2019a; Niu et al., 2019b; Lu et al., 2020; Wan et al., 2020). In recent times, efforts have been made to increase intramolecular charge transfer effect of D-π-A structured photosensitizers (Deraka et al., 2017; Chai et al., 2019; Samanta et al., 2019). To this effect, various electron-deficient units have been widely explored, such as pyduium (Shi et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020b), benzo [c] (Li et al., 2016; Li et al., 2018; Dai et al., 2019), thiadiazole (Guo et al., 2017; Zhou et al., 2020), rhodamine (Tang et al., 2018; Lv et al., 2019), indaceno (Wang et al., 2016), and tricyanofuran (Wu et al., 2019). Among them, rhodanic, an electron-deficient core, can serve as block to build NIR fluorophore (Wan et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2018b; Xia et al., 2018). However, rhodanic molecules face some challenges, such as low absorption in the NIR region and limited ROS generation efficiency. Hence, it is highly desirable to design new photosensitizers containing rhodanic with high PDT performance.

In this contribution, we develop a D-π-A structured NIR photosensitizer (TTRE), which was rationally designed as electron-donating triphenylamine as electron-donating group, rhodanic as electron-withdrawing units, and thiophenyl as π bridge. TTRE exhibited NIR emission (around 680 nm), ROS generation ability, and two-photon fluorescent imaging capacity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that TTRE has effective anticancer potential and is amenable to imaging-guided photodynamic therapy of tumor.

Material and Methods

Materials

All the solvents and reagents utilized in this contribution were of analytical grade. 5-(4-(Diphenylamino) phenyl) thiophene-2-carbaldehyde, 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyanoacetate, 4-isothiocyanatobenzonitrile, DBU, and ethyl bromoacetate were purchased from 3A Chemical Co. Ltd. The biological chemical reagents containing ROS indicators of 9,10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)-dimalonic acid (ABDA) and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) were offered from aladdin Co., Ltd. DAPI and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit were purchased from Beyotime biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Instruments

NMR spectra were measured via Bruker 400 MHz NMR with CDCl3 and DMSO-d6. UV absorption spectra were recorded on Thermofisher Evolution 300 spectropolarimeter. Fluorescent spectra were obtained using Thermofisher Lumina spectrofluorometer. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was performed with Shimadzu FTIR-8100 spectrophotometer. High resolution mass spectra were obtained on Bruker Autoflex instrument. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) images were performed on Olympus FV1000-IX81 confocal laser scanning microscope. Two photon fluorescence imaging was obtained using upright multiphoton microscope (FVMPE-RS, Olympus, Japan). Small animals’ fluorescence imaging was carried out by Bruker FX Pro living imaging system.

Synthesis of Rhodanic

DBU (3.04 g, 20 mmol), 2-Ethylhexyl 2-cyanoacetate (3.94g, 20 mmol), and 4-isothiocyanatobenzonitrile (3.52 g, 22 mmol) were added to CH3CN (50 ml) at room temperature. After stirred for 30 min, ethyl bromoacetate (5.65 g, 34 mmol) was added to the mixture. The mixture was refluxed for 8 h. The CH3CN was evaporated. The solid was acidified with 1 M HCl (60 ml) and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer was concentrated, then recrystallized in CH3CN to produce pale yellow solid (6.43 g, 81%). 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm) 8.05∼8.07(d,2H), 7.67∼7.69 (d, 2H), 4.24∼4.25(t, 2H), 4.00∼4.02(t, 2H), 1.28∼1.44(t, 2H), 1.21∼1.26(m, 2H), 1.28∼1.44(m, 1H), 1.21∼1.26(m, 8H), 0.81∼0.86(m, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 173.60, 172.24, 165.22, 139.40, 133.86, 131.29, 118.56, 113.65, 112.72, 88.92, 76.47, 67.38, 38.57, 32.72, 30.06, 28.64, 23.56, 22.75, 14.25, 11.21.

Synthesis of TTRE

5-(4-(Diphenylamino) phenyl) thiophene-2-carbaldehyde (1.77 g, 5 mmol), Rhodanic (1.985 g, 5 mmol), and CH3COONa (500 mg) were added to acetic acid (30 ml). The mixture was refluxed at 160 °C for 12 h. After cooling to room temperature, the solid was filtered and washed with cold MeOH. The solid was recrystallized from CH2Cl2/ethanol (1:10, v/v) to give TTRE as red solid. Yield: 2.97 g (81%). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ(ppm) 8.05(s, 1H), 7.89∼7.91(d, 2H), 7.56∼7.58(d, 2H), 7.51∼7.53(d, 2H), 7.32∼7.35(m, 8H), 7.09∼7.19(m, 6H), 4.19∼4.22(m, 2H), 1.58(s, 1H), 1.28∼1.40(m, 8H), 0.86∼0.93(m, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ(ppm) 178.00, 167.34, 163.97, 146.90, 142.47, 138.78, 136.86, 134.51, 133.62, 130.11, 129.45, 129.18, 128.72, 128.50, 127.43, 126.40, 125.84, 125.13, 123.90, 122.35, 117.81, 108.68, 103.12, 66.65, 39.10, 29.65, 29.27, 23.61, 22.84, 14.08, 10.94. IR(KBr) v (cm-1), 3422, 2963, 2925, 1719, 1578, 1527, 1491, 1437, 1367, 1325, 1293, 1154.

Result and Discussion

Synthesis and Properties of TTRE

The D-π-A structure could reduce electronic band gaps and extend absorption/emission wavelengths of fluorophore. In addition, D-π-A structure fluorophore exhibit the two-photon absorption and ROS production. Herein, rhodanic and triphenylamine were attached to thiophenel group to build NIR photosensitizer TTRE (Figure 1A). The NMR, and IR spectra are listed in Supplementary Figure S1–S5 (Supporting Information).

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 1. (A) The synthetic routine of TTRE. (B) The Normalized absorption and fluorescent spectra of TTRE in Water. (C) Fluorescent spectra of TTRE after irradiation (300mW/cm2). (D) UV spectra of TTRE after irradiation (300mW/cm2).

TTRE’s optical properties was analyzed using UV-vis and fluorescent spectroscopy. As shown in Figure 1B, the absorption is centered around 505 nm in water containing 0.1% DMSO, while the emission maximum of TTRE is located in 680 nm which belongs to the near-infrared region. More importantly, TTRE emits NIR fluorescence with a large Stokes shift of 175 nm which enable it to give great advantage for bioimaging applications. Analysis of TTRE’s optical properties in various solvents using UV-vis and fluorescent spectroscopy was carried out. As shown in Supplementary Figure S6, the absorption maximum of TTRE varied from 475 to 525 nm in the different solvent. On the other hand, the emission maximum shifted from 600 to 680 nm. All these results confirmed that the optical properties of TTRE are strongly dependent on the solvent polarity. We also measured the fluorescent properties of TTRE in DMSO/toluene mixtures at various toluene concentrations (Supplementary Figure S7). TTRE exhibited weak emission in DMSO and fluorescence increased with gradual addition of toluene. Fluorescent intensity rose 12-fold at pure toluene relative to pure DMSO. These data show that TTRE is AIE active.

Photostability is critical for fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy. Here, the photostability of TTRE was examined (Figures 1C,D). After white light irradiation for approximate 10 min (300 mW/cm2), TTRE’s fluorescence reduced modestly, to 83% of the initial value, while its absorption spectrum still keeps 92% of original value, indicating TTRE has superior photostability.

ROS Generation

To investigate the cytotoxicity of TTRE in dark or upon light irradiation, CCK-8 analysis was carried out. As shown in Supplementary Figure S8, the cytotoxicity of 4T1 cells is little in the absence of light. However, cell viability reduced to 15% after incubation with TTRE (10 µM) and white light irradiation (8 min, 60 mW/cm2), suggesting TTRE may be amenable to photo triggered therapy.

TTRE’s capacity of ROS production was initially evaluated under white light irradiation (60 mW/cm2) with ABDA as ROS indicator (Figures 2A,B). Under light irradiation, the absorbance in 378 nm of ABDA solution rapidly fell in the presence of TTRE, suggesting highly efficient ROS production. To detect in cellular ROS generation, DCFDA was utilized as indictor (Figure 2C). Green emission was observed from the cells treated with DCFDA and TTRE, while no obvious fluorescence was detected in the absence of TTRE. It seems that TTRE efficiently products ROS in 4T1 cells. Double staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and DAPI was carried out to investigate the extents of apoptosis or necrosis after PDT with TTRE. The apoptosis ratio induced by TTRE and irradiation was up to ∼87.3%, which was significantly higher than in Blank group (Figure 2D). All these results confirm that TTRE could be a potential photosensitizer.

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 2. (A) UV-vis spectra change of ABDA and TTRE with different irradiation time of white light (60 mW/cm2). (B) Plots of A/A0 at 378 nm of ABDA vs. different irradiation times. A0 is the absorption of ABDA without irradiation, and A is the absorption with various irradiation time. (C) Intracellular ROS detection using DCFDA in 4T1 cells incubated with TTRE after white light irradiation. (D) Representative FCM profiles of 4T1 cells with different treatment.

NIR and Two-Photon Fluorescent Imaging

NIR fluorescent imaging behaviors of TTRE in living cells was first investigated. As described in Figure 3A, NIR fluorescence within 4T1 cells can be detected, confirming the endocytosis of TTRE in 4T1 cells. To confirm the lysosomal specificity of TTRE, the colocalization experiment was carried out by incubating 4T1 cells with TTRE and Lyso-Tracker Green, which is commercial probe for lysosomal imaging. The red fluorescence of TTRE was overlapped with the green fluorescence of Lyso-Tracker Green. These data confirmed that TTRE permeates the cell membrane and accumulates in the lysosome.

FIGURE 3
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 3. (A) Fluorescent imaging of 4T1 cells coculture with TTRE. (B) The fluorescent imaging of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice after intratumorally injection of TTRE in vivo.

Moreover, in vivo fluorescent imaging on tumor-bearing mice was carried out. As shown in Figure 3B, bright NIR fluorescent was detected at the tumor site after intratumorally injection of TTRE. Interestingly, NIR signal could be still examined after 48 h, confirming extended tumor retention. These data suggest that TTRE was suitable for fluorescent imaging-guided photodynamic therapy.

Given the TTRE enhances deep penetration and high contrast imaging, the performance of TTRE was measured using TP fluorescent imaging in vitro. Results shown in Figure 4A reveal the two-photon fluorescent imaging of TTRE even penetration 21 μm in cells. Therefore, TTRE was utilized to achieve deeper blood vascular imaging in mouse liver. Figure 4B show representative vascular images of the mouse liver at penetration depths from 1 to 240 μm. The fluorescent signal of TTRE can be detected at depths of up to 240 μm. The high-resolution 3D image in vivo provided clear spatial map of the major vascular networks and the details of tiny capillaries. All these results demonstrated that TTRE is promising two-photon fluorescent imaging platform.

FIGURE 4
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 4. (A) TP fluorescent imaging of TTRE in living cells (B) TP fluorescent imaging of vascular in liver.

Inhibition of Subcutaneous 4T1 Tumors

For the investigation of the PDT property of TTRE in vivo, the 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse models were constructed, which were randomly divided into four groups and given different treatments (PBS, PBS with light, TTRE and TTRE with light). After being subjected to different treatments, the tumor volumes and tumor weights were monitored. A shown in Figures 5A–C, slight tumor growth inhibition was observed in the groups of PBS, PBS with light and TTRE, while TTRE with light group exhibited inhibitory effect on tumors, indicating that TTRE has good therapeutic effect under light irradiation. Importantly, during the treatment, all mice showed no significant abnormal changes in body weight (Figure 5D), and no significant damage in all major organs including the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and tumor (Figure 5E), thereby confirming the high biocompatibility and safety of TTRE for biomedical applications.

FIGURE 5
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 5. (A) Tumor volumes under different treatments; (B) Photos of typical tumor after different treatments; (C) Tumor weight under different treatments; (D) Body weights of the mice under different treatments; (E) H&E stained sections of heart, lung, liver, Spleen and Kidney.

Conclusion

In summary, a D-π-A structured NIR photosensitizer, TTRE, has been developed to realize photodynamic therapy. TTRE exhibited good biocompatibility, high photostability, and NIR emission property. TTRE was utilized as an efficient and effective photosensitizer for imaging-guided PDT with TP fluorescent imaging property. The excellent PDT performance of TTRE was further examined in vivo. This work provides insight into developing NIR photosensitizer for imaging-guided photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Ethics Statement

The animal study was reviewed and approved. All surgical interventions and postoperative animal care was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Author Contributions

LC and MC contributed equally to this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81671749) and the Foundation for the President of Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University (2020C045).

Supplementary Material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2021.629062/full#supplementary-material.

References

Chai, Z., Wang, J., Xie, Y., Lin, P., Li, H., Chang, K., et al. (2019). Modulation of acceptor position in organic sensitizers: the optimization of intramolecular and interfacial charge transfer processes. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 11, 27648–27657. doi:10.1021/acsami.9b03428

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dai, X., Du, T., and Han, K. (2019). Engineering nanoparticles for optimized photodynamic therapy. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 5, 6342–6354. doi:10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01251

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dai, J., Wu, X., Ding, S., Lou, X., Xia, F., Wang, S., et al. (2020). Aggregation-induced emission photosensitizers: from molecular design to photodynamic therapy. J. Med. Chem. 63, 1996–2012. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02014

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dereka, B., Svechkarev, D., Rosspeintner, A., Tromayer, M., Liska, R., Mohs, A. M., et al. (2017). Direct observation of a photochemical alkyne-allene reaction and of a twisted and rehybridized intramolecular charge-transfer state in a donor-acceptor dyad. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139, 16885–16893. doi:10.1021/jacs.7b09591

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Guo, L., Niu, G., Zheng, X., Ge, J., Liu, W., Jia, Q., et al. (2017). Single near-infrared emissive polymer nanoparticles as versatile phototheranostics. Adv. Sci. 4, 1700085. doi:10.1002/advs.201700085

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Hu, Z., Chen, W. H., Tian, J., and Cheng, Z. (2020). NIRF nanoprobes for cancer molecular imaging: approaching clinic. Trends Mol. Med. 26, 469–482. doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2020.02.003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Huo, M., Wang, L., Zhang, L., Wei, C., Chen, Y., and Shi, J. (2020). Photosynthetic tumor oxygenation by photosensitizer-containing cyanobacteria for enhanced photodynamic therapy. Angew Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 59, 1906–1913. doi:10.1002/anie.201912824

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kim, D., Lee, N., Park, Y., and Hyeon, T. (2017). Recent advances in inorganic nanoparticle-based NIR luminescence imaging: semiconductor nanoparticles and lanthanide nanoparticles. Bioconjugate Chem. 28, 115–123. doi:10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00654

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kim, H. M., and Cho, B. R. (2015). Small-molecule two-photon probes for bioimaging applications. Chem. Rev. 115, 5014–5055. doi:10.1021/cr5004425

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kobayashi, H., Ogawa, M., Alford, R., Choyke, P. L., and Urano, Y. (2010). New strategies for fluorescent probe design in medical diagnostic imaging. Chem. Rev. 110, 2620–2640. doi:10.1021/cr900263j

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kuo, W. S., Shen, X. C., Chang, C. Y., Kao, H. F., Lin, S. H., Wang, J. Y., et al. (2020). Multiplexed graphene quantum dots with excitation-wavelength-independent photoluminescence, as two-photon probes, and in ultraviolet-near infrared bioimaging. ACS Nano. 14, 11502–11509. doi:10.1021/acsnano.0c03915

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kwiatkowski, S., Knap, B., Przystupski, D., Saczko, J., Kędzierska, E., Knap-Czop, K., et al. (2018). Photodynamic therapy - mechanisms, photosensitizers and combinations. Biomed. Pharmacother. 106, 1098–1107. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.049

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Leitl, M. J., Krylova, V. A., Djurovich, P. I., Thompson, M. E., and Yersin, H. (2014). Phosphorescence versus thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Controlling singlet-triplet splitting in brightly emitting and sublimable Cu(I) compounds. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 16032–16038. doi:10.1021/ja508155x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, C., and Wang, Q. (2019). Advanced NIR‐II fluorescence imaging technology for in vivo precision tumor theranostics. Adv. Ther. 2, 1900053. doi:10.1002/adtp.201900053

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, L., Pang, X., and Liu, G. (2018). Near-infrared light-triggered polymeric nanomicelles for cancer therapy and imaging. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 4, 1928–1941. doi:10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00648

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, S., Chang, K., Sun, K., Tang, Y., Cui, N., Wang, Y., et al. (2016). Amplified singlet oxygen generation in semiconductor polymer dots for photodynamic cancer therapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 3624–3634. doi:10.1021/acsami.5b07995

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Linden, G., and Vázquez, O. (2020). Bioorthogonal turn-on BODIPY-peptide photosensitizers for tailored photodynamic therapy. Chemistry 26, 10014–10023. doi:10.1002/chem.202001718

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, L., Fu, L., Jing, T., Ruan, Z., and Yan, L. (2016). pH-triggered polypeptides nanoparticles for efficient BODIPY imaging-guided near infrared photodynamic therapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 8980–8990. doi:10.1021/acsami.6b01320

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, S., Zhang, H., Li, Y., Liu, J., Du, L., Chen, M., et al. (2018). Strategies to enhance the photosensitization: polymerization and the donor-acceptor even-odd effect. Angew Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 57, 15189–15193. doi:10.1002/anie.201810326

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lu, Q., Wu, C. J., Liu, Z., Niu, G., and Yu, X. (2020). Fluorescent AIE-active materials for two-photon bioimaging applications. Front. Chem. 8, 617463. doi:10.3389/fchem.2020.617463

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lv, W., Chi, S., Feng, W., Liang, T., Song, D., and Liu, Z. (2019). Development of a red absorbing Se-rhodamine photosensitizer and its application for bio-orthogonally activatable photodynamic therapy. Chem Commun. 55, 7037–7040. doi:10.1039/c9cc03018b

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Niu, G., Zhang, R., Gu, Y., Wang, J., Ma, C., Kwok, R., et al. (2019a). Highly photostable two-photon NIR AIEgens with tunable organelle specificity and deep tissue penetration. Biomaterials 208, 72–82. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.04.002

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Niu, G., Zheng, X., Zhao, Z., Zhang, H., Wang, J., He, X., et al. (2019b). Functionalized acrylonitriles with aggregation-induced emission: structure tuning by simple reaction-condition variation, efficient red emission, and two-photon bioimaging. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 15111–15120. doi:10.1021/jacs.9b06196

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Pan, D., Liang, P., Zhong, X., Wang, D., Cao, H., Wang, W., et al. (2019). Self-assembled porphyrin-based nanoparticles with enhanced near-infrared absorbance for fluorescence imaging and cancer photodynamic therapy. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2, 999–1005. doi:10.1021/acsabm.8b00530

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Pawlicki, M., Collins, H. A., Denning, R. G., and Anderson, H. L. (2009). Two-photon absorption and the design of two-photon dyes. Angew Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 48, 3244–3266. doi:10.1002/anie.200805257

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Qin, W., Alifu, N., Lam, J. W. Y., Cui, Y., Su, H., Liang, G., et al. (2020). Facile synthesis of efficient luminogens with AIE features for three‐photon fluorescence imaging of the brain through the intact skull. Adv. Mater. 32, 2000364. doi:10.1002/adma.202000364

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Samanta, P. K., Alam, M. M., Misra, R., and Pati, S. K. (2019). Tuning of hyperpolarizability, and one- and two-photon absorption of donor-acceptor and donor-acceptor-acceptor-type intramolecular charge transfer-based sensors. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 21, 17343–17355. doi:10.1039/c9cp03772a

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sarcan, E. T., Silindir-Gunay, M., and Ozer, A. Y. (2018). Theranostic polymeric nanoparticles for NIR imaging and photodynamic therapy. Int. J. Pharm. 551, 329–338. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.09.019

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shen, X., Li, L., Wu, H., and YaoXu, Q. S. Q.-H. (2011). Photosensitizer-doped conjugated polymer nanoparticles for simultaneous two-photon imaging and two-photon photodynamic therapy in living cells. Nanoscale 3, 5140–5146. doi:10.1039/c1nr11104c

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shi, X., Sung, S. H. P., Chau, J. H. C., Li, Y., Liu, Z., Kwok, R. T. K., et al. (2020). Killing G(+) or G(−) bacteria? The important role of molecular charge in AIE‐active photosensitizers. Small Methods 4, 2000046. doi:10.1002/smtd.202000046

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Szurko, A., Rams-Baron, M., Montforts, F.-P., Bauer, D., Kozub, P., Gubernator, J., et al. (2020). Photodynamic performance of amphiphilic chlorin e6 derivatives with appropriate properties: a comparison between different-type liposomes as delivery systems, Photodiagnosis Photodyn. Ther. 30, 101799. doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.101799

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tang, Q., Xiao, W., Li, J., Chen, D., Zhang, Y., Shao, J., et al. (2018). A fullerene-rhodamine B photosensitizer with pH-activated visible-light absorbance/fluorescence/photodynamic therapy. J. Mater. Chem. B. 6, 2778–2784. doi:10.1039/c8tb00372f

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Vauthey, M., Tarnowicz-Staniak, N., Deiana, M., Pokładek, Z., Samoć, M., and Matczyszyn, K. (2020). Two-photon absorption and two-photon-induced isomerization of azobenzene compounds. RSC Adv. 10, 40489–40507. doi:10.1039/d0ra07693g

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wan, Y., Lu, G., Wei, W. C., Huang, Y. H., Li, S., Chen, J. X., et al. (2020). Stable organic photosensitizer nanoparticles with absorption peak beyond 800 nanometers and high reactive oxygen species yield for multimodality phototheranostics. ACS Nano 14, 9917–9928. doi:10.1021/acsnano.0c02767

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wan, Z., Jia, C., Wang, Y., and Yao, X. (2017). A strategy to boost the efficiency of rhodanine electron acceptor for organic dye: from nonconjugation to conjugation. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9, 25225–25231. doi:10.1021/acsami.7b04233

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, D., Niu, L., Qiao, Z. Y., Cheng, D. B., Wang, J., Zhong, Y., et al. (2018a). Synthesis of self-assembled porphyrin nanoparticle photosensitizers. ACS Nano 12, 3796–3803. doi:10.1021/acsnano.8b01010

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, D., Su, H., Kwok, T. K., R. T. K., , Shan, G., Leung, C. S., et al. (2017). Facile synthesis of red/NIR AIE luminogens with simple structures, bright emissions, and high photostabilities, and their applications for specific imaging of lipid droplets and image-guided photodynamic therapy. Adv. Funct. Mater. 27, 1704039. doi:10.1002/adfm.201704039

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, E., Yao, Z., Zhang, Y., Shao, G., Zhang, M., and Wang, P. (2016). Significant influences of elaborately modulating electron donors on light absorption and multichannel charge-transfer dynamics for 4-(Benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-4-ylethynyl)benzoic acid dyes. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 18292–18300. doi:10.1021/acsami.6b05554

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, L., Xia, Q., Zhang, Z., Qu, J., and Liu, R. (2018b). Precise design and synthesis of an AIE fluorophore with near-infrared emission for cellular bioimaging. Mater. Sci. Eng. C. 93, 399–406. doi:10.1016/j.msec.2018.08.012

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wu, W., Mao, D., Hu, F., Xu, S., Chen, C., Zhang, C. J., et al. (2017). A highly efficient and photostable photosensitizer with near-infrared aggregation-induced emission for image-guided photodynamic anticancer therapy. Adv. Mater. Weinheim 29, 1700548. doi:10.1002/adma.201700548

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wu, W., Mao, D., Xu, S., Panahandeh‐Fard, M., Duan, Y., Hu, F., et al. (2019). Precise molecular engineering of photosensitizers with aggregation‐induced emission over 800 nm for photodynamic therapy. Adv. Funct. Mater. 29, 1901791. doi:10.1002/adfm.201901791

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xia, Q., Chen, Z., Yu, Z., Wang, L., Qu, J., and Liu, R. (2018). Aggregation-induced emission-active near-infrared fluorescent organic nanoparticles for noninvasive long-term monitoring of tumor growth. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 10, 17081–17088. doi:10.1021/acsami.8b03861

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xiao, Q., Lin, H., Wu, J., Pang, X., Zhou, Q., Jiang, Y., et al. (2020). Pyridine-embedded phenothiazinium dyes as lysosome-targeted photosensitizers for highly efficient photodynamic antitumor therapy. J. Med. Chem. 63, 4896–4907. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00280

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yan, C., Zhang, Y., and Guo, Z. (2021). Recent progress on molecularly near-infrared fluorescent probes for chemotherapy and phototherapy. Coord. Chem. Rev. 427, 213556. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2020.213556

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yuan, P., Ruan, Z., and Yan, L. (2020). Tetraphenylporphine-modified polymeric nanoparticles containing NIR photosensitizer for mitochondria-targeting and imaging-guided photodynamic therapy. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 6, 1043–1051. doi:10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01662

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zheng, K., Liu, H., Liu, X., Jiang, L., Li, L., Wu, X., et al. (2020a). Photo-triggered release of doxorubicin from liposomes formulated by amphiphilic phthalocyanines for combination therapy to enhance antitumor efficacy. J. Mater. Chem. B. 8, 8022–8036. doi:10.1039/d0tb01093f

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zheng, Z., Liu, H., Zhai, S., Zhang, H., Shan, G., Kwok, R. T. K., et al. (2020b). Highly efficient singlet oxygen generation, two-photon photodynamic therapy and melanoma ablation by rationally designed mitochondria-specific near-infrared AIEgens. Chem. Sci. 11, 2494–2503. doi:10.1039/c9sc06441a

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, T., Hu, R., Wang, L., Qiu, Y., Zhang, G., Deng, Q., et al. (2020). An AIE-active conjugated polymer with high ROS-generation ability and biocompatibility for efficient photodynamic therapy of bacterial infections. Angew Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 59, 9952–9956. doi:10.1002/anie.201916704

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, Z., Song, J., Nie, L., and Chen, X. (2016). Reactive oxygen species generating systems meeting challenges of photodynamic cancer therapy. Chem. Soc. Rev. 45, 6597–6626. doi:10.1039/c6cs00271d

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhu, H., Fang, Y., Miao, Q., Qi, X., Ding, D., Chen, P., et al. (2017). Regulating near-infrared photodynamic properties of semiconducting polymer nanotheranostics for optimized cancer therapy. ACS Nano 11, 8998–9009. doi:10.1021/acsnano.7b03507

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: NIR emission, NIR photosensiziter, D-π-A structure, imaging-guided photodynamic therapy, two-photon fluorescent imaging

Citation: Chen L, Chen M, Zhou Y, Ye C and Liu R (2021) NIR Photosensitizer for Two-Photon Fluorescent Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy of Tumor. Front. Chem. 9:629062. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2021.629062

Received: 16 November 2020; Accepted: 19 January 2021;
Published: 23 February 2021.

Edited by:

Simone Brogi, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Italy

Reviewed by:

Jianhua Zou, Nanjing Tech University, China
Guangle Niu, Shandong University, China
Jianjun Du, Dalian University of Technology, China

Copyright © 2021 Chen, Chen, Zhou, Ye and Liu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Ruiyuan Liu, ruiyliu@smu.edu.cn; Changsheng Ye, yechsh2014@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.