Alkynyl N-BODIPYs as Reactive Intermediates for the Development of Dyes for Biophotonics ^†

Abstract

A new approach for the rapid multi-functionalization of BODIPY dyes towards biophotonics is reported. It is based on novel N-BODIPYs, through reactive intermediates with alkynyl groups to be further derivatized by click chemistry. This approach has been exemplified by the development of new dyes for cell bio-imaging, which have proven to successfully internalize into pancreatic cancer cells and accumulate in the mitochondria. The in vitro suitability for photodynamic therapy (PDT) was also analyzed and confirmed our compounds to be promising PDT candidates for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

1. Introduction

Biophotonics, which is the application of photonics to life science [1], is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that includes monitoring of cellular processes, optical diagnostics and light-activated treatments, like photodynamic therapy (PDT) [2,3,4,5,6]. The advancement in biophotonics requires the development of efficient photonic systems that can act as bioprobes or PDT agents or, what is more interesting, that can integrate imaging and therapy into a single platform. This last approach, named “theranostics,” is considered one of the most promising precision medicine technologies in cancer [7]. However, the development of photonic systems that can be efficiently applied to biophotonics is not an easy task since many requisites need to be fulfilled within the same system: good photonic properties (high fluorescence or/and singlet oxygen generation and photostability), specificity (cell permeability and organelle recognition), biocompatibility (solubility, low dark toxicity), etc. In this context, monochromophoric organic dyes have advantages related to accessibility and biocompatibility and, especially, the possibility of modulating key properties by chemical modifications [8,9,10,11].

Among all the organic dyes, BODIPYs (BOron DIPYrromethenes, Figure 1) are worth highlighting due to their excellent photophysical properties, which can be adjusted by appropriate chemical modifications of the chromophore structure [12,13,14,15]. To apply them in biophotonics, it is necessary to introduce additional functional groups for bio-recognition [16] or for increasing water solubility [17], likely the main drawback of BODIPYs. Unfortunately, this is not an easy step in monochromophoric BODIPYs, because the introduction of additional functional groups can severely affect the optimized photophysical properties of the chromophore. In this sense, among all the possible positions in BODIPY, functionalization at boron is a privileged position because the boron atom is not part of the chromophore [18] and, therefore, functionalization at boron should be the preferred option to endow BODIPY dyes with key properties, without affecting the ground photophysical properties of the involved chromophore.

In this context, we have recently reported the straightforward preparation of N-BODIPYs, i.e., BODIPYs having N-groups at boron (Figure 1) [19]. While keeping the photophysical properties of parent F-BODIPYs (i.e., BODIPYs having fluorine atoms at boron, see Figure 1), N-BODIPYs have the advantage, over other related at-boron-functionalized BODIPYs, such as O-BODIPYs, that up to four different moieties can be placed near the BODIPY chromophore, due to the bonding features of the nitrogen atom in comparison with oxygen. Thus, the N-BODIPY design is an attractive scaffold to engineer smart BODIPYs with multiple functions, which is especially interesting when developing BODIPYs for biophotonics.

A strategy that is being widely used nowadays for the functionalization of dyes directed towards biophotonics is the use of click chemistry between alkyne- and azide-functionalized building blocks. The most interesting feature of this reaction for biophotonics is that it can be carried out in vivo, even inside of the human body. This fact has advantages related to avoiding the toxicity of some molecules (the probe or drug is generated at a specific site in the body), facilitating permeation of the acting molecule (the molecule enters the cell divided into pieces and it is built inside the cell), etc. [20].

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Design and Synthesis

2.1.1. Synthesis of the Alkyne-Based Key Intermediate

Following our initial hypothesis, we designed N-BODIPY NBPD-yne (Figure 2) as a key intermediate to BODIPY dyes for cell-imaging, based on the following premises: (1) functionalization at boron to keep the excellent photophysical signature of parent F-BODIPY, (2) straightforward synthesis from commercially available F-BODIPY, (3) possibility of multifunctionalization through the N-groups, and (4) alkynyl group for the easy post-derivatization (by click chemistry) for bio-recognition.

We successfully applied the methodology developed by us for the synthesis of N-BODIPYs [19] to the synthesis of NBDP-yne from parent F-BODIPY (2,6-diethyl-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-F-BODIPY, PM567) and the corresponding bis-sulfonamide 2 (see Scheme 1). The procedure is based on the substitution of PM567 fluorine atoms with the bis-sulfonamide nitrogens, activated by boron trichloride at room temperature. In turn, 2 was obtained from commercially available reagents in three easy steps: a double sulfonamidation by reaction of excess of ethane-1,2-diamine with butanesulfonyl chloride, followed by reaction with chlorosulfonylbenzoic acid and a final esterification with propargyl alcohol, activated with carbodiimide, to yield 2. Thus, bis-sulfonamide 2 is properly functionalized with an alkyne moiety for further click chemistry and a butane chain to aid in solubility for further chemical manipulations (Scheme 1).

2.1.2. Derivatization of Key Intermediate NBDP-yne Towards Bio-Recognition

Once we had intermediate NBDP-yne in hand, we proceeded to its chemical derivatization. As a proof of concept, we chose to introduce ammonium and phosphonium moieties as groups that had been described before for the labelling of mitochondria [21,22,23,24]. These groups where easily introduced by standard click chemistry (CuSO₄, sodium ascorbate) in NBDP-yne, using the corresponding azide-functionalized reagent (see Scheme 2).

2.2. Spectroscopic Signatures in Solution

As aforementioned in the introduction, the chemical modification at the boron atom is a suitable approach to functionalize the BODIPY with low impact into their photophysical signatures. Following this line of reasoning, the spectral band position of the herein reported three N-BODIPYs is almost the same, regardless of the pendant chain in the sulfonamide of the spiranic ring (see Figure 3). Furthermore, such bands are hardly affected by the environmental properties, a typical feature of BODIPYs [12]. The intermediate N-BODIPY (NBDP-yne), with the key alkynyl unit, displays a high fluorescence response with efficiencies surpassing 80%, in agreement with the reported results for this new family of BODIPYs [19]. In this regard, the conformational restriction afforded by the spiranic ring sharing the boron center is a key issue to avoid undesirable non-radiative deactivation channels related to internal conversion. Consequently, even the cationic N-BODIPYs (NBDP-N and -P) retain a similar fluorescence efficiency after further functionalization to enable biorecognition, regardless of the introduced functional group (ammonium or phosphonium; Figure 3). In other words, even after chemical modification of the intermediate N-BODIPY towards biorecognition, the notable photophysical properties of parent F-BODIPYs are kept. That is to say, high absorption coefficient, which is needed to absorb efficiently the incoming excitation light under the fluorescence microscope, as well as stable and glow emission, which is needed for an easy monitorization of the fluorescent imaging after internalization into the cell and labelling of mitochondria. Therefore, both NBDP-N and -P meet a priori all the desired requirements to provide bright and long-lasting fluorescent images in the cellular media to track mitochondria.

2.3. Biological Assessment in Established Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells

2.3.1. Photodynamic Therapy Protocols

The suitability of the N-BODIPYs NBDP-P and NBDP-N for PDT treatment of pancreatic cancer was tested (Figure 4A,B). Incubation with increasing concentrations of N-BODIPYs followed by irradiation showed that concentrations equal or superior to 10 µM of NBDP-P and 25 µM of NBDP-N decreased the surviving fraction of cells compared with non-irradiated cells (dark conditions). Both compounds efficiently killed PANC-1 cells, showing an IC50 concentration of 15 µM for NBDP-P and 40 µM for NBDP-N, positioning these two compounds as promising platforms for the development of photodynamic cancer therapy agents.

2.3.2. N-BODIPYs Internalization in PANC-1 Cells

Incubation of PANC-1 cells with both N-BODIPYs (NBDP-P and NBDP-N) and posterior analysis by flow cytometry revealed that both compounds efficiently internalized in the cells. Incubation with the compounds for 3 or 24 h showed that the cellular uptake occurred rapidly since the average of fluorescence quantified in the cells was similar for both incubation times (Figure 4C,D). Cells not incubated with N-BODIPYs (untreated control group, red histogram in Figure 4C,D) were used to establish the baseline fluorescence signal, which was subtracted from the rest of the samples to determine the positive population of cells exhibiting fluorescence derived from the compounds.

2.3.3. Subcellular Localization

The intense green fluorescence emission of both N-BODIPYs was visualized in PANC-1 cells after incubating the cells with the compounds for only 3 h (Figure 5). Morphological assessment of the fluorescence signal suggested that both compounds tend to localize within the mitochondria.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Synthetic Procedures

General. Common solvents were dried and distilled by standard procedures. All starting materials and reagents were obtained commercially and used without further purifications. Elution flash chromatography was conducted on silica gel (230–400 mesh ASTM). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on silica gel plates (silica gel 60 F254, supported on aluminum). The NMR spectra were recorded at 20 °C, and the residual solvent peaks were used as internal standards. The NMR signals are given in ppm. The DEPT-135 NMR experiments were used for the assignation of the type of carbon nucleus (C, CH, CH₂, and CH₃). The FTIR spectra were recorded from neat samples using ATR technique, and IR bands are given in cm⁻¹.

4-{N-[2-(butylsulfonamido)ethyl]sulfamoyl}benzoic acid (1): A solution of 4-(chlorosulfonyl)benzoic acid (1.20 g, 5.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added dropwise over a solution of N-(2-aminoethyl)butane-1-sulfonamide [25] (1.00 g, 5.5 mmol) and triethylamine (0.56 g, 5.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) under argon atmosphere at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After reaction completion, 3M HCl (15 mL) was added and a white solid precipitated, which was filtered and washed, first, with diethyl ether (3 × 20 mL) and, then, with cold ethanol (3 × 20 mL). 1 (1.90 g, 95%) was obtained as a white solid. ¹H NMR (MeOH-d₄, 300 MHz) δ 8.95 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.72 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.89 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.79–3.70 (m, 4H), 3.70–3.63 (m, 2H), 2.35 (m, 2H), 2.15 (sext, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.66 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H) ppm.

Propargyl 4-{N-[2-(butylsulfonamido)ethyl]sulfamoyl}benzoate (2): A mixture of 1 (1.00 g, 2.74 mmol), N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl, 526 mg, 2.74 mmol), 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP, 670 mg, 5.48 mmol), and propargyl alcohol (154 mg, 2.74 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 24 h under argon atmosphere. After reaction completion, water (15 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) were added, the phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3 × 15 mL). The organic phase was successively washed with 3 M HCl (1 × 15 mL), water (1 × 15 mL), 10% aqueous NaOH (1 × 15 mL), water (1 × 15 mL), and brine (1 × 15 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and then filtered, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 1:1) to obtain 2 (1.10 g, 99%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 8.18 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.95 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 5.85 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (t, J = 6.1 Hz, 1H), 4.95 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 2H), 3.33–3.20 (m, 2H), 3.18–3.08 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 2.55 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 1.75 (m, 2H), 1.43 (sext, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 164.5 (C), 144.1 (C), 133.4 (C), 130.8 (CH), 127.3 (CH), 77.3 (C), 75.7 (CH), 53.2 (CH₂), 52.8 (CH₂), 43.8 (CH₂), 43.2 (CH₂), 25.6 (CH₂), 21.6 (CH₂), 13.7 (CH₃) ppm. FTIRν 3281, 1729, 1326, 1270, 1164, 1142 cm⁻¹.

NBDP-yne: BCl₃ (1 M in hexanes, 0.30 mL, 0.30 mmol) was added dropwise over a solution of 2,6-diethyl-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-F-BODIPY (PM567; 50 mg, 0.16 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) under argon atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 min (disappearance of starting F-BODIPY was monitored by TLC). Then, triethylamine (127 mg, 1.26 mmol) was added, followed by 2 (190 mg, 0.47 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at rt. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite^® and washed with CH₂Cl₂, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6:4) to obtain NBDP-yne (77 mg, 72%) as an orange solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 7.98 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 4.95 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 2H), 3.72–3.60 (m, 4H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.55 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 2.47 (m, 2H), 2.38 and 2.31 (ABX₃ system, AB section, J_AB = 15.0 Hz, J_AX = J_BX = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 2.39 (s, 6H), 2.05 (s, 6H), 1.58–1.51 (m, 2H), 1.23 (sext, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.01 (ABX₃ system, X₃ section, J_AX = J_BX = 7.5 Hz, 6H), 0.79 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 164.7 (C), 151.0 (C), 144.3 (C), 140.4 (C), 137.2 (C), 133.3 (C), 133.1 (C), 132.1 (C), 130.1 (CH), 127.0 (CH), 75.6 (CH), 53.1 (CH₂), 51.1 (CH₂), 45.1 (CH₂), 44.6 (CH₂), 24.7 (CH₂), 21.9 (CH₂), 17.9 (CH₃), 17.4 (CH₂), 15.1 (CH₃), 13.6 (CH₃), 12.7 (CH₃) ppm. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃, 160 MHz) δ −1.08 (s) ppm. FTIRν 1730, 1563, 1480, 1329, 1195 cm⁻¹.

NBDP-N: Click reaction: Over a mixture of NBDP-yne (25 mg, 0.037 mmol) and 3-azido-N,N-dimethylpropanamine [26] (3a, 6 mg, 0.044 mmol) in 2 mL of t-BuOH, CuSO₄∙5H₂O (4 mg, 0.015 mmol) in water (1 mL) and, then, sodium ascorbate (6 mg, 0.030 mmol) in water (1 mL) were added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 h at room temperature. After reaction completion, water (15 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) were added, the phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3 × 15 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. Amine quaternization: The reaction crude (25 mg, 0.031 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) and iodomethane (1.14 g, 8.0 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min. Then, diethyl ether (2 mL) was added, and an orange solid precipitated. The precipitate was filtered and washed with diethyl ether (30 mL). The precipitate was redissolved in CH₂Cl₂, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. NBDP-N (58 mg, 96%) was obtained as a reddish orange solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl_3, 300 MHz) δ 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.96 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.37 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 5.44 (s, 2H), 4.60 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.66 (m, 4H), 3.33 (s, 9H), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.56 (m, 2H), 2.46 (m, 2H), 2.47–2.20 (m, 4H), 2.38 (s, 6H), 2.02 (s, 6H), 1.87 (br. s, 2H), 1.51 (m, 2H), 1.21 (sext, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 0.97 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 6H), 0.77 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 165.1 (C), 150.9 (C), 144.0 (C), 142.7 (C), 140.5 (C), 137.2 (C), 133.3 (C), 133.1 (C), 132.5 (C), 130.2 (CH), 126.9 (CH), 125.4 (CH), 63.8 (CH₂), 58.7 (CH₂), 54.2 (CH₃), 51.0 (CH₂), 46.7 (CH₂), 45.1 (CH₂), 44.6 (CH₂), 24.6 (CH₂), 24.3 (CH₂), 21.8 (CH₂), 17.9 (CH₃), 17.3 (CH₂), 15.2 (CH₃), 15.2 (CH₃), 13.5 (CH₃), 12.7 (CH₃) ppm. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃, 160 MHz) δ−1.09 (s) ppm. FTIRν 1721, 1563, 1477, 1321, 1270, 1194, 1014 cm⁻¹.

NBDP-P: Following the procedure described above for the click reaction in the synthesis of NBDP-N, CuSO₄∙5H₂O (4 mg, 0.015 mmol), sodium ascorbate (6 mg, 0.030 mmol), NBDP-yne (25 mg, 0.037 mmol) and (3-azidopropyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide [27] (3b, 19 mg, 0.044 mmol) were reacted. After purification by flash chromatography (silica gel, CH₂Cl₂/MeOH, 9:1), NBDP-P (34 mg, 84%) was obtained as a red solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl_3, 300 MHz) δ 8.47 (br. s, 1H), 7.93 (d, J = 2H), 7.82–7.60 (m, 15H), 7.35 (d, J = 2H), 5.46 (s, 2H), 5.00 (m, 2H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 3.67 (m, 4H), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.46 (m, 2H), 2.41–2.19 (m, 6H), 2.37 (s, 6H), 2.03 (s, 6H), 1.52 (m, 2H), 1.21 (sext, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 0.97 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 6H), 0.77 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 165.1 (C), 151.0 (C), 143.9 (C), 142.1 (C), 140.4 (C), 137.1 (C), 135.4 (d, J_13C-31P = 3.1 Hz, CH), 133.7 (d, J_13C-31P = 10.1 Hz, CH), 133.3 (C), 133.1 (C), 132.6 (C), 130.8 (CH), 130.7 (CH), 130.1 (CH), 126.9 (CH), 126.7 (CH), 117.7 (d, J_13C-31P = 86.5 Hz, C), 117.2 (C), 58.6 (CH₂), 51.1 (CH₂), 49.3 (d, J_13C-31P = 18.8 Hz CH₂), 45.1 (CH₂), 44.5 (CH₂), 24.6 (CH₂), 23.5 (CH₂), 21.8 (CH₂), 20.0 (d, J_13C-31P = 59.9 Hz, CH₂), 17.8 (CH₃), 17.3 (CH₂), 15.1 (CH₃), 13.5 (CH₃), 12.7 (CH₃) ppm. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃, 160 MHz) δ −1.09 (s) ppm. ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz) δ 27.2 (s) ppm. FTIRν 1721, 1563, 1477, 1326, 1270, 1193, 1053, 980 cm⁻¹.

3.2. Photophysical Properties

Diluted solutions of NBDP-yne (around 2 × 10^{−6 M) were prepared by adding the corresponding solvent (spectroscopic grade) to the residue from the adequate amount of a concentrated stock solution in acetone, after vacuum evaporation of this solvent. The cationic NBDP-N and NBDP-P were directly dissolved in methanol and diluted to reach the required micromolar concentration. UV–Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence were recorded on a Varian model CARY 4E spectrophotometer and an Edinburgh Instruments spectrofluorimeter (model FLSP920), respectively, using 1 cm path length quartz cuvettes. The emission spectra were corrected from the monochromator wavelength dependence, the lamp profile and the photomultiplier sensitivity. Fluorescence quantum yields (ϕ) were calculated using commercial PM567 (ϕr} = 0.84 in ethanol) as reference. The values were corrected by the refractive index of the solvent. Radiative decay curves were registered with the time-correlated single-photon counting technique (Edinburgh Instruments, model FL920, with picosecond time-resolution). Fluorescence emission was monitored at the maximum emission wavelength after excitation at 470 nm by means of a diode laser (PicoQuant, model LDH470, respectively) with 150 ps full width at half maximum (FWHM) pulses. The fluorescence lifetime (τ) was obtained after the deconvolution of the instrumental response signal from the recorded decay curves by means of an iterative method. The goodness of the exponential fit was controlled by statistical parameters (chi-square and the analysis of the residuals).

3.3. Biological Assessment

3.3.1. Cell Culture

Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) cells were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC^® CRL-1469™) and grown as monolayer cultures in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM; Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MA, USA) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50 U/mL penicillin, and 50 mg/mL streptomycin. All products were purchased from Gibco (Paisley, UK). Cell cultures were performed in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere plus 95% air at 37 °C and maintained in 75 cm² tissue culture flasks (TPP, Switzerland) in a BINDER incubator (Tuttlingen, Germany). Depending on the experiment, cells were seeded in 96-well plates, 6-well plates (TPP), or in 24-well plates with 10 mm square glass coverslips. Sub-confluent cell cultures were used.

3.3.2. Photodynamic Therapy Treatments

For testing the suitability of NBDP-P and NBDP-N as photosensitizers for PDT, 5 × 10³ cells/well were seeded on 96-well plates. After 24 h, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of N-BODIPYs (1–50 µM) for 24 h. Then, cells were washed with PBS and maintained in DMEM during irradiation and post-treatment time (48 h). Illumination was performed by means of a green light-emitting diode (LED) device (λ = 525 nm) with a fluence rate of 5.73 mW/cm², measured with an M8 Spectrum Power Energy meter (Merchantek Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). The total light dose used was 10.3 J/cm². Simultaneous experiments were carried out by incubation with the corresponding N-BODIPYs but without irradiation (dark toxicity), in order to analyze a possible cytotoxic effect induced by the dyes.

3.3.3. Cell Viability Studies

Dark and photo-toxicity-induced effects on PANC-1 cells were measured by the dimethylthiazolyl-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT; Sigma-Aldrich) colorimetric assay. Briefly, 100 µL/well of a 0.5 mg/mL MTT solution was added to each well following PDT treatments (or alternatively dark conditions). After 1 h incubation, the reduced formazan was dissolved using 100 µL/well dimethyl sulfoxide and absorbance (optical density, OD) was measured at 562 nm using an Infinite M200 PRO microplate reader (Tecan Group Ltd.). Cell viability was calculated as the percentage of OD of treated cells compared to untreated (control) cells. Data are shown as mean values ± standard deviation from at least three different experiments. For statistical calculations, one-way ANOVA Tukey’s test and the software GraphPad Prism 7.03 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA, USA) were used. p-values < 0.0001 (****) were considered as statistically significant.

3.3.4. N-BODIPY Cellular Uptake by Flow Cytometry

To evaluate the cell internalization of N-BODIPYs, PANC-1 cells were seeded on 6-well plates at a density of 5 × 10⁵ cells/well. After 24 h, cells were incubated with 1 µM NBDP-P or NBDP-N for 3 or 24 h. Then, cells were washed 3 times with PBS, harvested using trypsin-EDTA (Gibco), and centrifuged at 13,200 rpm for 10 s. After that, cells were re-suspended in PBS. Fluorescence intensity was measured using a BD LSRII™ cell analyzer (BD Bioscience, UK) with a laser line at 488 nm (green) and complemented with appropriate filters. A total of 20,000 events/sample were recorded and single cells were discriminated from doublets by pulse-processing. FlowJo v10 software (Tree Star, Inc, USA) was used to analyze and plot the acquired data.

3.3.5. Subcellular Localization and Accumulation by Fluorescence Microscopy

To study the subcellular localization of N-BODIPYs, 5 × 10⁴ cells were seeded on glass coverslips placed on 24-well plates. Cells were incubated with 5 µM of N-BODIPY NBDP-P or NBDP-N for 3 h and washed three times with PBS prior to visualization. An Olympus BX63 microscope equipped with an Olympus DP80 digital camera (Olympus, USA) was used for these experiments. A FITC filter (490–520 nm) was used to excite both N-BODIPYs.

4. Conclusions

A key intermediate for the multifunctionalization of BODIPYs towards biophotonics has been designed and obtained. This intermediate is based on an N-BODIPY having an alkynyl moiety that has been easily derivatized using click chemistry to obtain two BODIPY dyes for the labelling of mitochondria. The functionalization through the boron atom helps the new dyes keep the photophysical properties of parent F-BODIPY. Additionally, the promising MTT data obtained, together with the fast internalization and mitochondria-labelling of NBDP-P and NBDP-N in PANC-1 cells, given the great importance that mitochondria play in cancer cells (regulating key functions such as ATP generation, redox homeostasis, metabolic signaling and control of apoptotic pathways), indicate the potential of NBDP-P and NBDP-N as starting platforms for the development of smarter photosensitizers for PDT.