Issue 8, 2022

Effects of nanoaggregation on isoindigo-based fluorophores for near-infrared bioimaging applications

Abstract

In this work, we have taken a donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) fluorophore (II-EDOT-TPA) and encapsulated it using a linear dendritic block copolymer (LDBC). In parallel, a polyethylene glycol derivative (PEG-II-EDOT-TPA) was synthesized. The self-assembly and colloidal properties of both nanoaggregates were comparatively assessed. Photophysical and morphological characterization of the LDBC encapsulated II-EDOT-TPA and PEG-II-EDOT-TPA nanoaggregates was performed, which showed the photophysical and morphological properties differed greatly when comparing the two. Both nanoaggregate types were incubated with HEK-293 cells in order to measure cell viability and perform confocal fluorescence microscopy. Minimal cytotoxicity values (<20%) were seen with the two nanoaggregate forms, while both types of nanoaggregates were found to accumulate into the lysosomes of the HEK-293 cells. This work provides fascinating insights into NIR fluorophore design and methods to effectively alter the photophysical and morphological properties of the nanoaggregates for bio-imaging purposes.

Graphical abstract: Effects of nanoaggregation on isoindigo-based fluorophores for near-infrared bioimaging applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 jan 2022
Accepted
30 mar 2022
First published
27 apr 2022

Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2022,7, 906-914

Author version available

Effects of nanoaggregation on isoindigo-based fluorophores for near-infrared bioimaging applications

N. E. Sparks, A. Dorris, S. M. Vijayan, I. Chandrasiri, M. F. Zia, A. Flynt, N. I. Hammer and D. L. Watkins, Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2022, 7, 906 DOI: 10.1039/D2ME00014H

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