Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science) >

2022 , Vol. 42 >Issue 7: 875 - 884

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2022.07.005

Basic research

Development of pH-responsive fluorescent probe for tumor microenvironment imaging

  • Yuxin WANG ,
  • Ruiqi SUN ,
  • Jianhua LIU ,
  • Weina HE
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  • Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200025, China
HE Weina, E-mail: hewn0319@sjtu.edu.cn.
LIU Jianhua, E-mail: jhliu7912@sjtu.edu.cn

Received date: 2022-03-19

  Accepted date: 2022-06-25

  Online published: 2022-09-04

Supported by

Original Exploration Youth Support Project of Frontier Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Basic Medical Sciences(YCTSQN2021001);“Star of SJTU” Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Medical-Engineering Cross Research Fund(YG2016MS22)

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Abstract

Objective

·To synthesize a water-soluble pH-responsive near-infrared cyanine-based fluorescent probe, evaluate its optical properties, and conduct in vivo imaging analysis of the quasi-tumor microenvironment.

Methods

·The water-soluble pH-responsive near-infrared fluorescent probe R2S was synthesized via two classic chemical transformation steps and the liposoluble probe R2Z was synthesized in the similar way. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography were used to verify the structure and the purity of the probes synthesized. Ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to evaluate its pH responsiveness, response reversibility and stability. Then, cell permeability of the probe was measured by cell imaging. The cytotoxicity of the probe was evaluated with HCT-116 cells and HeLa cells, and in vivo imaging experiments were performed by using healthy BALB/c female mice. Finally, imaging experiments of quasi-tumor-acidic-microenvironment were carried out by separately injecting PBS solution with pH 6.50 and pH 7.40 into the back of the mice, and the fluorescence intensity of R2S at pH 6.50 and pH 7.40 was compared.

Results

·The water-soluble pH-responsive near-infrared fluorescent probe R2S and its liposoluble analog R2Z were synthesized successfully. As the acidity of the probe solution increased (from pH 11.10 to pH 3.47), the maximum absorption wavelength of R2S shifted from 642 nm to 774 nm, while the maximum emission wavelength shifted from 794 nm to 808 nm, with a pKa value of 6.88. Compared to the liposoluble probe R2Z, R2S showed a larger Stokes shift, higher stability without affecting the cell membrane permeability. At the high administration concentration of 100 μmol/L, R2S did not exhibit the inhibition of proliferation, while for R2Z at the concentration of 12.5 μmol/L, the relative cell viability already descended to below 80%, indicating R2S had higher biosecurity than R2Z. Imaging of R2S in low pH tissue (simulating tumor tissue) and normal pH tissue exhibited a high degree of discrimination.

Conclusion

·The water-soluble pH-responsive near-infrared cyanine fluorescent probe R2S exhibits sensitive and stable responses to pH changes, and the optimal response range is consistent with the pH of the tumor acidic microenvironment, illustrating a strong potential for its in vivo tumor imaging applications.

Key words： tumor imaging; near-infrared fluorescence probe; tumor microenvironment (TME); cyanine dye; water solubility; pH responsivity

Cite this article

Yuxin WANG , Ruiqi SUN , Jianhua LIU , Weina HE . Development of pH-responsive fluorescent probe for tumor microenvironment imaging[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2022 , 42(7) : 875 -884 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2022.07.005

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