Protein Encapsulation: A Nanocarrier Approach to the Fluorescence Imaging of an Enzyme-Based Biomarker

Zhiyuan Jia, Hai Hao Han, Adam C. Sedgwick, George T. Williams, Lauren Gwynne, James T. Brewster, Steven D. Bull, A. Toby A. Jenkins, Xiao Peng He, Holger Schönherr, Jonathan L. Sessler, Tony D. James

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Here, we report a new pentafluoropropanamido rhodamine fluorescent probe (ACS-HNE) that allows for the selective detection of neutrophil elastase (NE). ACS-HNE displayed high sensitivity, with a low limit of detection (<5.3 nM), and excellent selectivity toward elastase over other relevant biological analytes and enzymes. The comparatively poor solubility and cell permeability of neat ACS-HNE was improved by creating an ACS-HNE-albumin complex; this approach allowed for improvements in the in situ visualization of elastase activity in RAW 264.7 cells relative to ACS-HNE alone. The present study thus serves to demonstrate a simple universal strategy that may be used to overcome cell impermeability and solubility limitations, and to prepare probes suitable for the cellular imaging of enzymatic activity in vitro.

Original languageEnglish
Article number389
JournalFrontiers in Chemistry
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jun 2020

Keywords

  • BSA-based nanocarrier
  • cell imaging
  • elastase detection
  • fluorescence imaging
  • nanocarrier-based enzyme detection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Protein Encapsulation: A Nanocarrier Approach to the Fluorescence Imaging of an Enzyme-Based Biomarker'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this