Covalent organic framework-based fluorescent nanoprobe for intracellular pH sensing and imaging

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Vol. 272; p. 121002
• Main Authors: Jia, Yutao, Shen, Yanting, Zhu, Yanyan, Wang, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 05.05.2022
• Subjects: Covalent organic framework; Fluorescence; Fluorescence intensity; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lysosomes - metabolism; Metal-Organic Frameworks; pH sensitive; Subcellular imaging; Covalent organic framework; pH sensitive; Fluorescence intensity; Subcellular imaging
• ISSN: 1386-1425; 1873-3557
• DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121002

TAPB-DMTP-COF for selective lysosomal pH sensing and imaging. [Display omitted] •A simple and novel fluorescent strategy for pH detection based on the pH responsive characteristic of the material itself.•COF-based fluorescent pH sensing and imaging in subcellular compartment was achieved.•The lysosomal pH dynamics in cells were monitored and traced by our proposed COF-based fluorescent nanoprobes. Lysosomes are the acidic organelles in the cells that play an important role in intracellular degradation and other various cellular functions. The pH disturbance of lysosomes will result in the lysosomal dysfunction and many lysosomal related diseases. In this work, we reported a methoxy-based covalent organic framework (TAPB-DMTP-COF) that a novel pH-responsive fluorescent probe for lysosomal pH imaging in cells. The prepared TAPB-DMTP-COF presented regular crystal structure, low toxicity and good pH responsive property. The rich imine structure in the material enabled pH-responsive properties of the TAPB-DMTP-COF and made it exhibited pH-dependent fluorescence response. Good detection linearity for pH measurements in aqueous solution was achieved by this probe. Moreover, the TAPB-DMTP-COF can be used for the selective lysosomal pH imaging. Confocal fluorescence imaging results demonstrated that the pH fluctuations (from 4.0 to 7.4) and the pH changes in lysosomes can be effectively monitored in situ by the developed probe. This study may provide a new avenue for the intracellular pH sensing, deep study and understanding about the mechanism of diseases related to abnormal lysosomal pH.