2 research outputs found

    AuNPs-COFs Core–Shell Reversible SERS Nanosensor for Monitoring Intracellular Redox Dynamics

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    The redox homeostasis in living cells is greatly crucial for maintaining the redox biological function, whereas accurate and dynamic detection of intracellular redox states still remains challenging. Herein, a reversible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) was prepared to dynamically monitor the redox processes in living cells. The nanosensor was fabricated by modifying the redox-responsive Raman reporter molecule, 2-Mercaptobenzoquione (2-MBQ), on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), followed by the in situ coating of COFs shell. 2-MBQ molecules can repeatedly and quickly undergo reduction and oxidation when successively treated with ascorbic acid (AA) and hypochlorite (ClO–) (as models of reductive and oxidative species, respectively), which resulted in the reciprocating changes of SERS spectra at 900 cm–1. The construction of the COFs shell provided the nanosensor with great stability and anti-interference capability, thus reliably visualizing the dynamics of intracellular redox species like AA and ClO– by SERS nanosensor. Taken together, the proposed SERS strategy opens up the prospects to investigate the signal transduction pathways and pathological processes related with redox dynamics

    Dual-Modal Apoptosis Assay Enabling Dynamic Visualization of ATP and Reactive Oxygen Species in Living Cells

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    ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered significant indicators of cell apoptosis. However, visualizing the interplay between apoptosis-related ATP and ROS is challenging. Herein, we developed a metal–organic framework (MOF)-based nanoprobe for an apoptosis assay using duplex imaging of cellular ATP and ROS. The nanoprobe was fabricated through controlled encapsulation of gold nanorods with a thin zirconium-based MOF layer, followed by modification of the ROS-responsive molecules 2-mercaptohydroquinone and 6-carboxyfluorescein-labeled ATP aptamer. The nanoprobe enables ATP and ROS visualization via fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, respectively, avoiding the mutual interference that often occurs in single-mode methods. Moreover, the dual-modal assay effectively showed dynamic imaging of ATP and ROS in cancer cells treated with various drugs, revealing their apoptosis-related pathways and interactions that differ from those under normal conditions. This study provides a method for studying the relationship between energy metabolism and redox homeostasis in cell apoptosis processes
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