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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 25381

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Dr. Liangcan He

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Guest Editor

School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Interests: organic-inorganic materials; nanomedicine; DNA nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jing Mu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
Interests: bioimaging; optical nanoprobes; stimuli-responsive biomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The performance of nanotheranostic strategies for different cancers has been approved with various experiments, enabling the engineered imaging agent to overcome the specific limitations of some cancer therapies. In this Special Issue, we are committed to integrating different materials, nanotechnology and simulation approaches for providing sufficient and efficient references in investigations. According to the characteristics of bioimaging materials, nanotechnology-based synergistic therapies demonstrated promise in tissue engineering or cancer treatments. For example, physical approaches such as ultrasonic ablation are spatially distributed and change with time, and chemical works such as different inorganic functional materials are utilized in imaging diagnosis and further treatments. This Special Issue will focus on the advances in the fields of novel imaging materials, cancer theranostics, physical simulation and calculations, etc. It is associated with but not limited to “Bioimaging Materials”, related works and progress are encouraged. It involves materials science, biology, chemistry and physical simulation. Such fields are challenging and with ample opportunities.

Dr. Liangcan He
Dr. Jing Mu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fluorescent biomaterials
quantum dots
cancer theranostics
nanotechnology
imaging dignosis
novel imaging technology
imaging simulation and calculations
photoacoustic applications

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials”

by Liangcan He

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910363 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 399

Abstract

In the context of increasingly diverse diseases, early diagnosis and prevention, particularly in cancer control, have become more important than ever [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 5753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Structural–Photophysical Property Relationships in Mitochondria-Targeted Deep-Red/NIR-Emitting Coumarins

by Eduardo Izquierdo-García, Anna Rovira, Joan Forcadell, Manel Bosch and Vicente Marchán

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417427 - 13 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1270

Abstract

Organic fluorophores operating in the optical window of biological tissues, namely in the deep-red and near-infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, offer several advantages for fluorescence bioimaging applications owing to the appealing features of long-wavelength light, such as deep tissue penetration, lack of toxicity, low scattering, and reduced interference with cellular autofluorescence. Among these, COUPY dyes based on non-conventional coumarin scaffolds display suitable photophysical properties and efficient cellular uptake, with a tendency to accumulate primarily in mitochondria, which renders them suitable probes for bioimaging purposes. In this study, we have explored how the photophysical properties and subcellular localization of COUPY fluorophores can be modulated through the modification of the coumarin backbone. While the introduction of a strong electron-withdrawing group, such as the trifluoromethyl group, at position 4 resulted in an exceptional photostability and a remarkable redshift in the absorption and emission maxima when combined with a julolidine ring replacing the N,N-dialkylaminobenzene moiety, the incorporation of a cyano group at position 3 dramatically reduced the brightness of the resulting fluorophore. Interestingly, confocal microscopy studies in living HeLa cells revealed that the 1,1,7,7-tetramethyl julolidine-containing derivatives accumulated in the mitochondria with much higher specificity. Overall, our results provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of new COUPY dyes operating in the deep-red/NIR region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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15 pages, 3579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remodeling of Tumor Microenvironment by Nanozyme Combined cGAS–STING Signaling Pathway Agonist for Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy

by Wenpei Dong, Mengting Chen, Chun Chang, Tao Jiang, Li Su, Changpo Chen and Guisheng Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13935; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813935 - 11 Sep 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1631

Abstract

Nanozymes and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway, as powerful organons, can remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME) to increase efficacy and overcome drug resistance in cancer immunotherapy. Nanozymes have the potential to manipulate the TME by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to positive oxidative stress in tumor cells. Cyclic dinucleotide (2′,3′-cGAMP), as a second messenger, exists in the TME and can regulate it to achieve antitumor activity. In this work, Co,N-doped carbon dots (CoNCDs) were used as a model nanozyme to evaluate the properties of the anti-tumor mechanism, and effective inhibition of S180 tumor was achieved. Based on CoNCDs’ good biocompatibility and therapeutic effect on the tumor, we then introduced the cGAS–STING agonist, and the combination of the CoNCDs and STING agonist significantly inhibited tumor growth, and no significant systemic toxicity was observed. The combined system achieved the enhanced tumor synergistic immunotherapy through TME reprogramming via the peroxidase-like activity of the CoNCDs and cGAS–STING signaling pathway agonist synergistically. Our work provides not only a new effective way to reprogram TME in vivo, but also a promising synergic antitumor therapy strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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17 pages, 12058 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visualization of Cellular Membranes in 2D and 3D Conditions Using a New Fluorescent Dithienothiophene S,S-Dioxide Derivative

by Aneta Rzewnicka, Jerzy Krysiak, Róża Pawłowska and Remigiusz Żurawiński

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119620 - 1 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1619

Abstract

Cellular membranes play a key role in cell communication with the extracellular environment and neighboring cells. Any changes, including their composition, packing, physicochemical properties and formation of membrane protrusions may affect cells feature. Despite its great importance, tracking membrane changes in living cells is still a challenge. For investigation of processes related to tissue regeneration and cancer metastasis, such as the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, increased cell motility, and blebbing, the possibility to conduct prolonged observation of membrane changes is beneficial, albeit difficult. A particular challenge is conducting this type of research under detachment conditions. In the current manuscript, a new dithienothiophene S,S-dioxide (DTTDO) derivative is presented as an effective dye for staining the membranes of living cells. The synthetic procedures, physicochemical properties, and biological activity of the new compound are presented herein. In addition to the labeling of the membranes in a monolayer culture, its usefulness for visualization of membranes under detachment conditions is also demonstrated. Obtained data have proven that a new DTTDO derivative may be used to stain membranes in various types of experimental procedures, from traditional 2D cell cultures to unanchored conditions. Moreover, due to the specific optical properties, the background signal is reduced and, thus, observation may be performed without washing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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12 pages, 2400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hemicyanine-Based Near-Infrared Fluorescence Off–On Probes for Imaging Intracellular and In Vivo Nitroreductase Activity

by Sun Hyeok Lee, Chul Soon Park, Kyung Kwan Lee, Tae-Hee Han, Hyun Seung Ban and Chang-Soo Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076074 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

Nitroreductase (NTR) has the ability to activate nitro group-containing prodrugs and decompose explosives; thus, the evaluation of NTR activity is specifically important in pharmaceutical and environmental areas. Numerous studies have verified effective fluorescent methods to detect and image NTR activity; however, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probes for biological applications are lacking. Thus, in this study, we synthesized novel NIR probes (NIR-HCy-NO₂ 1–3) by introducing a nitro group to the hemicyanine skeleton to obtain fluorescence images of NTR activity. Additionally, this study was also designed to propose a different water solubility and investigate the catalytic efficiency of NTR. NIR-HCy-NO₂ inherently exhibited a low fluorescence background due to the interference of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) by the nitro group. The conversion from the nitro to amine group by NTR induced a change in the absorbance spectra and lead to the intense enhancement of the fluorescence spectra. When assessing the catalytic efficiency and the limit of detection (LOD), including NTR activity imaging, it was demonstrated that NIR-HCy-NO₂ 1 was superior to the other two probes. Moreover, we found that NIR-HCy-NO₂ 1 reacted with type I mitochondrial NTR in live cell imaging. Conclusively, NIR-HCy-NO₂ demonstrated a great potential for application in various NTR-related fields, including NTR activity for cell imaging in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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13 pages, 4149 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Development of Fluorescent Bacteria with Lux and Riboflavin Genes

by Sun-Joo Lim, Miae Choi, Inseop Yun, Seulgi Lee, Ny Chang and Chan-Yong Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065096 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1852

Abstract

Lumazine protein from marine luminescent bacteria of Photobacterium species bind with very high affinity to the fluorescent chromophore 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribitylumazine. The light emission of bacterial luminescent systems is used as a sensitive, rapid, and safe assay for an ever-increasing number of biological systems. Plasmid pRFN4, containing the genes encoding riboflavin from the rib operon of Bacillus subtilis, was designed for the overproduction of lumazine. To construct fluorescent bacteria for use as microbial sensors, novel recombinant plasmids (pRFN4-Pp N-lumP and pRFN4-Pp luxLP N-lumP) were constructed by amplifying the DNA encoding the N-lumP gene (luxL) from P. phosphoreum and the promoter region (luxLP) present upstream of the lux operon of the gene by PCR and ligating into the pRFN4-Pp N-lumP plasmid. A new recombinant plasmid, pRFN4-Pp luxLP-N-lumP, was constructed with the expectation that the fluorescence intensity would be further increased when transformed into Escherichia coli. When this plasmid was transformed into E. coli 43R, the fluorescence intensity of transformants was 500 times greater than that of E. coli alone. As a result, the recombinant plasmid in which the gene encoding N-LumP and DNA containing the lux promoter exhibited expression that was so high as to show fluorescence in single E. coli cells. The fluorescent bacterial systems developed in the present study using lux and riboflavin genes can be utilized in the future as biosensors with high sensitivity and rapid analysis times. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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14 pages, 5274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency Enhancement Strategies for Stable Bismuth-Based Perovskite and Its Bioimaging Applications

by Liangyan Xiao, Linwei Huang, Weihaojia Su, Tianjun Wang, Haiying Liu, Zhongchao Wei and Haihua Fan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4711; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054711 - 1 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2571

Abstract

Lead-free perovskite is one of the ideal solutions for the toxicity and instability of lead halide perovskite quantum dots. As the most ideal lead-free perovskite at present, bismuth-based perovskite quantum dots still have the problem of a low photoluminescence quantum yield, and its biocompatibility also needs to be explored. In this paper, Ce³⁺ ions were successfully introduced into the Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉ lattice using a modified antisolvent method. The photoluminescence quantum yield of Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉:Ce is up to 22.12%, which is 71% higher than that of undoped Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉. The two quantum dots show high water-soluble stability and good biocompatibility. Under the excitation of a 750 nm femtosecond laser, high-intensity up-conversion fluorescence images of human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells cultured with the quantum dots were obtained, and the fluorescence of the two quantum dots was observed in the image of the nucleus. The fluorescence intensity of cells cultured with Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉:Ce was 3.20 times of that of the control group and 4.54 times of the control group for the fluorescence intensity of the nucleus, respectively. This paper provides a new strategy to develop the biocompatibility and water stability of perovskite and expands the application of perovskite in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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21 pages, 12476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Concept of Enhancing the Anticancer Activity of Manganese Terpyridine Complex by Oxygen-Containing Substituent Modification

by Jiahe Li, Min Chen, Jinzhang Jiang, Jieyou Huang, Hailan Chen, Lixia Pan, Dmytro S. Nesterov, Zhen Ma and Armando J. L. Pombeiro

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3903; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043903 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2195

Abstract

Eleven manganese 4′-substituted-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine complexes (1a–1c and 2a–2h) with three non-oxygen-containing substituents (L^1a–L^1c: phenyl, naphthalen-2-yl and naphthalen-1-yl, L^1a–L^1c) and eight oxygen-containing substituents (L^2a–L^2h: 4-hydroxyl-phenyl, 3-hydroxyl-phenyl, 2-hydroxyl-phenyl, 4-methoxyl-phenyl, 4-carboxyl-phenyl, 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl, 4-nitrophenyl and furan-2-yl) were prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis or single crystal X-ray diffraction. In vitro data demonstrate that all of these show higher antiproliferative activities than cisplatin against five human carcinoma cell lines: A549, Bel-7402, Eca-109, HeLa and MCF-7. Compound 2d presents the strongest antiproliferative effect against A549 and HeLa cells, with IC₅₀ values being 0.281 μM and 0.356 μM, respectively. The lowest IC₅₀ values against Bel-7402 (0.523 μM) Eca-109 (0.514 μM) and MCF-7 (0.356 μM) were obtained for compounds 2h, 2g and 2c, respectively. Compound 2g with a nitro group showed the best results on the whole, with relevantly low IC₅₀ values against all the tested tumor cells. The DNA interactions with these compounds were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods. Spectrophotometric results revealed that the compounds have strong affinities in binding with DNA as intercalators, and the binding induces DNA conformational transition. Molecular docking studies indicate that the binding is contributed by the π–π stacking and hydrogen bonds. The anticancer activities of the compounds are correlated with their DNA binding ability, and the modification of oxygen-containing substituents significantly enhanced the anticancer activity, which could provide a new rationale for the future design of terpyridine-based metal complexes with antitumor potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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14 pages, 3848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sonosensitive Phase-Changeable Nanoparticle Mediated Enhanced Chemotherapy in Prostate Cancer by Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

by Junyong Dai, Yunfang Wu, Ziqun Chen, Linkang Xiao, Weili Zhang and Yang Cao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010825 - 3 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancer types. Early detection of PC offers the best chance of successful treatment. A noninvasive, image-guided therapy mediated by targeted nanoparticles (NPs) has the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of cancer therapies. Herein, we report a sonosensitive nanoparticle modified with anti-PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) antibodies to activate target prostate tumors. These nanoparticles (PFP@IR780@PTX@liposome NPs) were co-loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel and the sonosensitizer IR780, as well as phase-changeable perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquids. The liquid–gas phase change could be induced by low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) in vitro. We found that the PFP@IR780@PTX@liposome NPs can specifically accumulate in prostate tumors after LIFU irradiation, as monitored by ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. Meanwhile, docetaxel was controllably released from the nanoparticles to achieve enhanced chemotherapeutic therapy in vivo. These sonosensitive phase-changeable NPs can visually treat prostate cancers effectively and have a clinical potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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18 pages, 3453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term In Vitro Assessment of Biodegradable Radiopaque Composites for Fiducial Marker Fabrication

by Żaneta Górecka, Emilia Choińska, Marcin Heljak and Wojciech Święszkowski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 14363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214363 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2067

Abstract

Biodegradable polymer-based composite materials may be successfully utilised to fabricate fiducial markers (FMs), which are intended to precisely label tumour margins during image-guided surgery or radiotherapy. However, due to matrix degradability, the stability of the functional properties of FMs depends on the chosen polymer. Thus, this study aimed to investigate novel radiopaque composites which varied in the polymeric matrix—polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (P[LAcoCL]) with two molar ratios (70:30 and 85:15), and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (with molar ratio 82:18). The radiopaque component of the materials was a mixture of barium sulphate and hydroxyapatite. The changes in water contact angle, stiffness, and radiopacity occurring during the 24-week-long degradation experiment were examined for the first time. This study comprehensively analyses the microstructural causes of composites behaviour within degradation experiments using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permitted chromatography (GPC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results suggest that the utilized biodegradable matrix plays an essential role in radiopaque composite properties and stability thereof. This long-term in vitro assessment enabled a comparison of the materials and aided in choosing the most favourable composite for FMs’ fabrication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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16 pages, 4172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metal Cluster Triggered-Assembling Heterogeneous Au-Ag Nanoclusters with Highly Loading Performance and Biocompatible Capability

by Xiaoxiao He, Xiaohong Ma, Yujun Yang, Xi Hu, Teng Wang, Shiyue Chen and Xiang Mao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911197 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2045

Abstract

In this work, we firstly report the preparation of heterogeneously assembled structures Au-Ag nanoclusters (NCs) as good drug carriers with high loading performance and biocompatible capability. As glutathione-protected Au and Ag clusters self-assembled into porous Au-Ag NCs, the size value is about 1.358 (±0.05) nm. The morphology characterization revealed that the diameter of Au-Ag NCs is approximately 120 nm, as well as the corresponding potential ability in loading performance of the metal cluster triggered-assembling process. Compared with individual components, the stability and loading performance of heterogeneous Au-Ag NCs were improved and exhibit that the relative biocompatibility was enhanced. The exact information about this is that cell viability was approximately to 98% when cells were incubated with 100 µg mL⁻¹ particle solution for 3 days. The drug release of Adriamycin from Au-Ag NCs was carried out in PBS at pH = 7.4 and 5.8, respectively. By simulating in vivo and tumor microenvironment, the release efficiency could reach over 65% at pH = 5.8 but less than 30% at pH = 7.2. Using an ultrasound field as external environment can accelerate the assembling process while metal clusters triggered assembling Au-Ag NCs. The size and morphology of the assembled Au-Ag NCs can be controlled by using different power parameters (8 W, 13 W, 18 W) under ambient atmosphere. Overall, a novel approach is exhibited, which conveys assembling work for metal clusters triggers into heterogeneous structures with porous characteristic. Its existing properties such as water-solubility, stability, low toxicity and capsulation can be considered as dependable agents in various biomedical applications and drug carriers in immunotherapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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Review

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27 pages, 6672 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Status and Prospect of Non-Viral Vectors Based on siRNA: A Review

by Liangnan Tong, Danqing Liu, Zhiyue Cao, Nannan Zheng, Chenchen Mao, Shujuan Liu, Liangcan He and Shaoqin Liu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3375; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043375 - 8 Feb 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3567

Abstract

Gene therapy has attracted much attention because of its unique mechanism of action, non-toxicity, and good tolerance, which can kill cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues. siRNA-based gene therapy can downregulate, enhance, or correct gene expression by introducing some nucleic acid into patient tissues. Routine treatment of hemophilia requires frequent intravenous injections of missing clotting protein. The high cost of combined therapy causes most patients to lack the best treatment resources. siRNA therapy has the potential of lasting treatment and even curing diseases. Compared with traditional surgery and chemotherapy, siRNA has fewer side effects and less damage to normal cells. The available therapies for degenerative diseases can only alleviate the symptoms of patients, while siRNA therapy drugs can upregulate gene expression, modify epigenetic changes, and stop the disease. In addition, siRNA also plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and hepatitis B. However, free siRNA is easily degraded by nuclease and has a short half-life in the blood. Research has found that siRNA can be delivered to specific cells through appropriate vector selection and design to improve the therapeutic effect. The application of viral vectors is limited because of their high immunogenicity and low capacity, while non-viral vectors are widely used because of their low immunogenicity, low production cost, and high safety. This paper reviews the common non-viral vectors in recent years and introduces their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the latest application examples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Bioimaging Materials)

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