Emission Wavelength-Tunable Bicyclic Dioxetane Chemiluminescent Probes for Precise In Vitro and In Vivo Imaging

Aerobic oxidation catalyst vanadyl acetylacetonate boosts luminol chemiluminescence for sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase and ascorbic acid

Vanadyl acetylacetonate, VO(acac)2, is a well-known environmentally friendly catalyst for aerobic oxidations. It has been exploited as an efficient co-reactant of luminol chemiluminescence (CL) in aqueous media for the first time. The luminol-VO(acac)2 system generates an intense CL and ascorbic acid can quench its CL remarkably. Based on the strong quenching effect of ascorbic acid, the luminol-VO(acac)2 CL was used in the quantification of clinically important ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by enzymatic conversion of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate into ascorbic acid. The linear ranges for detecting ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase are 1 to 100 μM and 0.005 to 200 U/L, respectively. The limits of detection of ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase are 0.5 μM and 0.005 U/L, respectively. The proposed CL method has shown high selectivity for the ALP among the tested biomolecules and metal ions. It also shows good recoveries in human serum samples.

Near-Infrared Chemiluminescent Theranostics

Molecular chemiluminescence probes with near-infrared (NIR) emission offer promising benefits in deciphering complex pathological processes in a living system, as NIR chemiluminescence minimizes autofluorescence, enhances deep-tissue penetration, and improves signal-to-noise ratio. Molecular engineering using single-luminophore design and dual-luminophore design with intramolecular energy transfer provides ways to develop conventional chemiluminophore scaffolds into NIR chemiluminescence probes with ideal chemiluminescence quantum yield and half-life. By virtue of the structural diversity, 1,2-dioxetane-based NIR chemiluminophores with biomarker activity have been developed. This review summarizes the molecular design strategies of NIR chemiluminescence theranostic probes (NCTPs), followed by introducing activatable NCTPs with their biomedical applications for disease theranostics. Lastly, future perspectives and potential challenges of NIR chemiluminescence imaging in preclinical research and clinical translational potential are discussed.

A Bicyclic Dioxetane Chemiluminescence Nanoprobe for Peroxynitrite Imaging in Vivo

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a critical biomarker associated with a wide array of diseases including cancer, inflammatory conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. This study introduces an innovative chemiluminescence nanoprobe (CLNP) based on a bicyclic dioxetane structure, designed for highly sensitive and specific in vivo imaging of ONOO-. Our CLNP demonstrates exceptional capabilities in generating high-contrast imaging of disease lesions, with applications verified across tumor models, acute inflammation, and acute liver injury scenarios. Key findings highlight the probe's rapid response to oxidative species, superior tissue penetration, and high signal-to-noise ratio, underscoring its potential for real-time diagnostic applications. This work represents an important advance in the field of diagnostic imaging using CL probes, offering promising avenues for the early detection and treatment of ONOO--related pathologies.

High Contrast Bioimaging of Tumor and Inflammation with a Bicyclic Dioxetane Chemiluminescent Probe

The link between inflammation and the evolution of cancer is well established. Visualizing and tracking both tumor proliferation and the associated inflammatory response within a living organism are vital for dissecting the nexus between these two processes and for crafting precise treatment modalities. We report the creation and synthesis of an advanced NIR chemiluminescence probe that stands out for its exceptional selectivity, extraordinary sensitivity at nanomolar concentrations, swift detection capabilities, and broad application prospects. Crucially, this probe has been successfully utilized to image endogenous ONOO- across different inflammation models, including abdominal inflammation triggered by LPS, subcutaneous inflammatory conditions, and tumors grafted onto mice. These findings highlight the significant promise of chemiluminescence imaging in enhancing our grasp of the intricate interplay between cancer and inflammation and in steering the development of potent, targeted therapeutic strategies.