Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jie Zhou, Jinlu Li, Kenneth Yin Zhang, Shujuan Liu, Qiang Zhao
Summary: Luminescent iridium(III) complexes have been extensively studied as intracellular sensors for photoluminescence microscopy imaging due to their high phosphorescence quantum yields, photostability, good cell membrane permeability, and rich and sensitive photophysical properties. Photoluminescence lifetime imaging microscopy (PLIM) allows for visualizing and mapping the decay of luminescent dyes in the time domain during cellular imaging. This review article focuses on the design and applications of lifetime-responsive phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes as imaging reagents for mapping environmental parameters and sensing analytes of interest in intracellular conditions.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilya S. Kritchenkov, Vitaliya G. Mikhnevich, Victoria S. Stashchak, Anastasia Solomatina, Daria O. Kozina, Victor V. Sokolov, Sergey P. Tunik
Summary: The photophysical properties of a series of NIR-emitting iridium complexes were studied, and it was found that their characteristics are mainly determined by the properties of the metalating ligands. These complexes showed lower oxygen-quenching constants and acceptable cytotoxicity in physiological media. Additionally, they can be used for semi-quantitative measurement of oxygen concentration in living cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mozhgan Samandarsangari, Daria O. Kozina, Victor V. Sokolov, Anastasia D. Komarova, Marina V. Shirmanova, Ilya S. Kritchenkov, Sergey P. Tunik
Summary: In this study, new phosphorescent iridium complexes were synthesized with water-soluble and biocompatible properties. The major photophysical characteristics were determined by two cyclometallating ligands based on 2-pyridine-benzothiophene. The use of various diimine ligands influenced the quantum yield of phosphorescence and the sensitivity to oxygen. The complexes demonstrated low toxicity and good water solubility.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mami Yasukagawa, Aya Shimada, Shuichi Shiozaki, Seiji Tobita, Toshitada Yoshihara
Summary: The new vascular imaging probe BTQ-R-12 can be chemically synthesized, enabling longer-term vascular network imaging without interference from autofluorescence.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben Liu, Jing Long, Meng Zhang, Kaiming Cheng, Xin Gao, Yibo Zhou, Yi Li, Zilong Tang, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study successfully achieved the goal of detecting H2S in mitochondria through exploring an iridium complex, which displays high selectivity and sensitivity, low cell toxicity, and has been successfully used for in vitro and in vivo H2S imaging.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Carmen Lorenzo-Aparicio, Mar Gomez Gallego, Carmen Ramirez de Arellano, Miguel A. Sierra
Summary: In this study, new types of neutral and cationic phosphorescent complexes derived from 6-phenylpurine nucleosides and nucleotides were prepared and studied. The neutral complexes exhibit orange-red emission upon photoexcitation, while the cationic complexes emit yellow-green light.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
Jingqi Liu, Xueliang Wang, Jing Wang, Chung-Hang Leung, Wanhe Wang
Summary: A new near-infrared luminescence probe for the detection of mitochondrial palladium ions in living cells is reported. This is the first near-infrared luminescence imaging probe for the detection of mitochondria Pd species in living cells, paving the way for studying subcellular distributions and related toxicity analysis of exogenous Pd species in living cells.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xuzi Cai, Kang-Nan Wang, Wen Ma, Yuanyuan Yang, Gui Chen, Huijiao Fu, Chunhui Cui, Zhiqiang Yu, Xuefeng Wang
Summary: The newly designed Ir-NPs showed high tumor-targeting ability, excellent antitumor effect, and low toxicity, making them a promising candidate for clinical applications in bioimaging and PDT. Additionally, they also demonstrated potential as a two-photon imaging agent for deep tissue bioimaging.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yibiao Jin, Donghao Hu, Jiamiao Yin, Kuangshi Sun, Lijun Chen, Shujuan Liu, Fuyou Li, Qiang Zhao
Summary: In this study, an iridium-based probe decorated with a p-nitrophenyl group was designed and investigated for the detection and imaging of nitroreductase (NTR). The probe showed selective and precise detection of NTR using photoluminescence lifetime imaging (PLIM) within living cells.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2024)
Article
Spectroscopy
Lei Hu, Xi Chen, Kun Yu, Na Huang, Hailing Du, Yan Wei, Yunjun Wu, Hui Wang
Summary: Visualizing endogenous histidine in living systems is important and challenging work. Two weak-emission iridium(III) complexes (IrL1 and IrL2) were designed and synthesized, with IrL2 showing better performance for detecting histidine. The recognition mechanism involves histidine substituting solvent ligands, and IrL2 can be used to visualize endogenous histidine in living cells.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jing Yang, Wen Ting Wang, Zheng Dou Shi, Rui Yang, Xia Li Liao, Bo Yang, Chuan Zhu Gao
Summary: By altering the reaction ratio of precursor Ir-2(ppy)(4)Cl-2 and bridging ligand of 4,4-bipyridine (bpy), a series of phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of mono-, di-, and tetranuclear have been successfully obtained and characterized for the first time. The dissociation of bpy ligand can be accelerated by light irradiation or placing these complexes in glutathione (GSH) abundant aqueous solution, bpy releasing rate follows the order Ir1 > Ir2 > Ir3 > Ir4, and with an addition of histidine, a significant blue shift from orange to green phosphorescence was observed. Furthermore, the cellular dissociation of bpy can be monitored by an orange-to-green phosphorescent blue shift, and the translocation of Ir complexes from cytoplasm to nucleus can be observed within 4 h in living cells through confocal imaging. Additionally, the changes of cellular phosphorescence intensity recorded by flow cytometry reflect different speed of bpy release in human normal and cancer cells. Moreover, the iridium complexes exert significant anticancer effect in the dark with low photocytotoxicity, inducing reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial membrane potential depletion, and interacting with biomolecules, ultimately leading to late apoptosis of Hela cell.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sergej Stipurin, Thomas Strassner
Summary: The combination of strong electron-withdrawing groups in cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with known beneficial auxiliary ligands in phosphorescent platinum(II) complexes results in efficient light-to-deep-blue emission with quantum yields of up to 92%. The compounds were characterized and studied for their photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal properties, with three complexes being characterized by solid-state structures. Density functional theory calculations were performed using PBE0/6-311G* with dispersion correction.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yi-Chuan Huang, Jing-Bo Yuan, Zhen-Qiang Qin, Hong-Yan Li, Wei Xue, Tian-Yi Li
Summary: Two iridium(III) complexes [(L1)2Ir(tpip)] (Ir1) and [(L2)2Ir(tpip)] (Ir2) with tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate (tpip) ancillary ligand were developed as efficient luminescent sensors for Zn2+ detection. Both complexes exhibited broad emission bands peaking at 613 nm and 603 nm, with PLQY of 0.32 and 0.57, and lifetimes of 1.8 and 1.3 μs, respectively. They showed excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards Zn2+ with a low detection limit of around 10-7 M and fast response time in solution. Nanofibers of these complexes were fabricated for on-site detection of Zn2+ in solid-phase, showing similar colorimetric changes as in solution.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mozhgan Samandarsangari, Ilya S. Kritchenkov, Daria O. Kozina, Anastasia D. Komarova, Marina V. Shirmanova, Sergey P. Tunik
Summary: The design, synthesis, and investigation of new molecular oxygen probes for bioimaging, based on phosphorescent transition metal complexes, have been studied. Three new iridium complexes with different ligands have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes exhibited phosphorescence and showed potential for use in bioimaging experiments. Furthermore, they were found to be internalized into cancer cells and localized in mitochondria and lysosomes.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chengli Kuang, Yibin Li, Xin Zhang, Jinbiao Wang, Shurui Zhao, Yuli Sun, Minna Li
Summary: This study reports a mitochondria-targetable phosphorescent probe, Ir-DPA, for the sequential and specific detection of Cu2+ and Cys. The probe exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity and successfully detects Cu2+ and Cys in living cells and zebrafish mitochondria.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Ouyang, Yongguang Li, Thomas W. Rees, Xinxing Liao, Jianhua Jia, Yu Chen, Xiting Zhang, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: The organoplatinum(II) complex Pt1 can assemble into nanoaggregates via pi-pi stacking and complementary hydrogen bonds, exhibiting ratiometric dual emission in cells with intact membranes and disrupted membranes. The unique characteristics of Pt1 enable its use for tracking cell apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammation in zebrafish.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lili Wang, Ruilin Guan, Lina Xie, Xinxing Liao, Kai Xiong, Thomas W. Rees, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: The Ir1 iridium complex induces immunogenic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer cells, triggering an anti-tumor T-cell response and resulting in long-lasting anti-tumor immunity through the activation of ICD. Ir1 is the first Ir-based complex capable of developing an immunomodulatory response by inducing immunogenic cell death.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kai Xiong, Ying Zhou, Johannes Karges, Kejie Du, Jinchao Shen, Mingwei Lin, Fangmian Wei, Junfeng Kou, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: This study presents a therapeutic copper polypyridine complex encapsulated in a natural nanocarrier, apoferritin, which shows higher cytotoxicity towards drug-resistant cancer cells compared to noncancerous cells. The compound triggers cell autophagy-dependent apoptosis, leading to cell death. Injection of this nanodrug conjugate into a mouse model with multidrug-resistant colon tumor results in a strong inhibition of tumor growth.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Weijun Wu, Xinxing Liao, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Peroxynitrite and glutathione play essential roles in regulating oxidation and antioxidation in the body, and studying mitochondria ONOO-/GSH redox cycles is crucial for understanding various diseases. The synthesized Ir-diol fluorescent probe exhibits excellent properties, showing high sensitivity and selectivity towards ONOO-/GSH in aqueous solution and living cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jinchao Shen, Johannes Karges, Kai Xiong, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: The study introduces a novel method for cancer treatment using functionalized black-titanium nanoparticles, showing satisfactory imaging and therapeutic effects in an animal model.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Libing Ke, Fangmian Wei, Lina Xie, Johannes Karges, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: This study presents the formulation of a promising Ir-III complex into a biodegradable coordination polymer, which can selectively accumulate in the mitochondria and trigger cell death through hybrid apoptosis and ferroptosis pathways upon irradiation.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai Xiong, Cheng Ouyang, Jiaqi Liu, Johannes Karges, Xinlin Lin, Xiang Chen, Yu Chen, Jian Wan, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: This study developed highly potent G-quadruplex stabilizers, which can maintain their efficacy even under crowded cellular conditions. The stabilizers were encapsulated in DNA cages to enhance sub-cellular localization and provide cancer selectivity. The resulting nanomaterials efficiently inhibit telomerase activity in drug-resistant cancer cells and induce cell death.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Kai Xiong, Fangmian Wei, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Cancer, a leading cause of death, requires minimally invasive methods to eradicate tumors and prevent recurrence. Photodynamic immunotherapy, utilizing photosensitizers as immunotherapy triggers, shows potential in combining the effects of photodynamic therapy and tumor immunotherapy. However, there is still room for improvement in this newly proposed treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangmian Wei, Libing Ke, Siyuan Gao, Johannes Karges, Jinquan Wang, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Drug resistance and metastases are major causes of death in clinics. This study presents a novel strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant and metastatic tumors by using physical adsorption and oxidative polymerization of Pt(IV) prodrugs in pore-confined spaces of CaCO3 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles interact with cisplatin-resistant non-small lung cancer cells through multiple mechanisms, resulting in cell death by apoptosis, ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jinchao Shen, Xinxing Liao, Weijun Wu, Tao Feng, Johannes Karges, Mingwei Lin, Hongjie Luo, Yu Chen, Hui Chao
Summary: Intracellular calcium levels are closely related to cell survival. This study proposes a novel nano-platform for calcium overload and two-photon photodynamic therapy, which releases Ir(III) complexes and excess calcium ions, resulting in a high cytotoxic effect. The loaded nanoplatform demonstrates a strong tumor growth inhibition effect in breast cancer.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingwei Lin, Shanshan Zou, Tingzhen Li, Johannes Karges, Yu Chen, Yukun Zhao, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Chiral rhodium(III)-azobenzene complexes capable of intercalating into DNA were developed. Upon light exposure, the azobenzene moiety of the metal complexes can undergo photoisomerization from trans-form to cis-form, thereby stabilizing the DNA double-helix and modulating DNA transcription. This study presents the first example of metal-based photoswitchable DNA molecular locks.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liting He, Kai Xiong, Lili Wang, Ruilin Guan, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Researchers have developed the first metal-based mitochondrial topoisomerase inhibitors to effectively treat cisplatin-resistant tumor cells.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Libing Ke, Fangmian Wei, Xinxing Liao, Thomas W. Rees, Shi Kuang, Zhou Liu, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: By developing nano-photosensitizers RuS1 NPs and RuS2 NPs, enhanced uptake in cancer cells and improved PDT efficiency were achieved. These nanoparticles can release photosensitizers in high GSH environments while consuming GSH, leading to excellent therapeutic outcomes.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ruilin Guan, Lina Xie, Lili Wang, Ying Zhou, Yu Chen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: NecroIr1 and NecroIr2, iridium(iii) complexes, induce necroptosis in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells by selectively accumulating in mitochondria and causing oxidative stress. Additionally, they interfere with cell cycle progression, leading to G0/G1 phase arrest. The combined effect of necroptosis induction and cell cycle arrest makes them potential antitumor agents against drug-resistant cancer cells.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingwei Lin, Shanshan Zou, Xinxing Liao, Yu Chen, Diqing Luo, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: In this study, the first Ru(ii) complex-based bioorthogonal two-photon photosensitizers were developed, which enabled effective tumour-specific photodynamic therapy against triple-negative breast cancer cells through bioorthogonal labelling.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Izabela Stupka, Artur P. Biela, Bernard Piette, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Karolina Majsterkiewicz, Kinga Borzecka-Solarz, Antonina Naskalska, Jonathan G. Heddle
Summary: Artificial protein cages, such as TRAP-cages, have potential applications in vaccines and drug delivery. TRAP-cages have the ability to control the disassembly conditions by modifying the interface between their building blocks. By using TRAP rings with different numbers of monomers, it is possible to predict the formation of other cages.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Guo Zhang, Yu Wang, Hua Qiu, Lei Lu
Summary: This study presents a one-pot synthesis method for flower-like AMPs@EAMP particles by combining antimicrobial peptides with ellagic acid, offering enlarged surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In vivo studies indicate their potential for tissue repair and immune barrier reconstruction.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jiamei Zhang, Lingshuang Wang, Cheng Xu, Yingui Cao, Shengsheng Liu, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Xiao Yang, Bo Xiao, Lian Duan
Summary: Pluronic F127 modified silk fibroin film with different types of antibacterial agents could accelerate wound recovery by promoting fibroblast adhesion, eradicating bacteria, and facilitating angiogenesis and re-epithelialization.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yinsheng Liu, Mingyue Wang, Yinfei Hui, Lei Sun, Yanrui Hao, Henlong Ren, Hao Guo, Wu Yang
Summary: In this study, a rare-earth hybrid luminescent material was developed for the detection of a biomarker for anthrax. The material showed excellent selectivity and high sensitivity, allowing for the determination of the biomarker in saliva and urine. Additionally, a convenient point-of-care testing method using fluorescent test paper and a smartphone was established for the initial diagnosis of anthrax.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wenshuai Yang, Jingsi Chen, Ziqian Zhao, Meng Wu, Lu Gong, Yimei Sun, Charley Huang, Bin Yan, Hongbo Zeng
Summary: Injectable hydrogels with shear-thinning and/or in situ formation properties offer distinct advantages in bioengineering applications, as they can be directly delivered to target sites, possess self-healing abilities, and simplify the implantation process.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
