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Kasparkova J, Hernández-García A, Kostrhunova H, Goicuría M, Novohradsky V, Bautista D, Markova L, Santana MD, Brabec V, Ruiz J. Novel 2-(5-Arylthiophen-2-yl)-benzoazole Cyclometalated Iridium(III) dppz Complexes Exhibit Selective Phototoxicity in Cancer Cells by Lysosomal Damage and Oncosis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:691-708. [PMID: 38141031 PMCID: PMC10788912 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
A second-generation series of biscyclometalated 2-(5-aryl-thienyl)-benzimidazole and -benzothiazole Ir(III) dppz complexes [Ir(C^N)2(dppz)]+, Ir1-Ir4, were rationally designed and synthesized, where the aryl group attached to the thienyl ring was p-CF3C6H4 or p-Me2NC6H4. These new Ir(III) complexes were assessed as photosensitizers to explore the structure-activity correlations for their potential use in biocompatible anticancer photodynamic therapy. When irradiated with blue light, the complexes exhibited high selective potency across several cancer cell lines predisposed to photodynamic therapy; the benzothiazole derivatives (Ir1 and Ir2) were the best performers, Ir2 being also activatable with green or red light. Notably, when irradiated, the complexes induced leakage of lysosomal content into the cytoplasm of HeLa cancer cells and induced oncosis-like cell death. The capability of the new Ir complexes to photoinduce cell death in 3D HeLa spheroids has also been demonstrated. The investigated Ir complexes can also catalytically photo-oxidate NADH and photogenerate 1O2 and/or •OH in cell-free media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kasparkova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Alba Hernández-García
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Hana Kostrhunova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Goicuría
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Vojtěch Novohradsky
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | | | - Lenka Markova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - María Dolores Santana
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Viktor Brabec
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - José Ruiz
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
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Jing S, Wu X, Niu D, Wang J, Leung CH, Wang W. Recent Advances in Organometallic NIR Iridium(III) Complexes for Detection and Therapy. Molecules 2024; 29:256. [PMID: 38202839 PMCID: PMC10780525 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Iridium(III) complexes are emerging as a promising tool in the area of detection and therapy due to their prominent photophysical properties, including higher photostability, tunable phosphorescence emission, long-lasting phosphorescence, and high quantum yields. In recent years, much effort has been devoted to develop novel near-infrared (NIR) iridium(III) complexes to improve signal-to-noise ratio and enhance tissue penetration. In this review, we summarize different classes of organometallic NIR iridium(III) complexes for detection and therapy, including cyclometalated ligand-enabled NIR iridium(III) complexes and NIR-dye-conjugated iridium(III) complexes. Moreover, the prospects and challenges for organometallic NIR iridium(III) complexes for targeted detection and therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaozhen Jing
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.J.); (X.W.); (J.W.)
- Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, 45 South Gaoxin Road, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Xiaolei Wu
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.J.); (X.W.); (J.W.)
- Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, 45 South Gaoxin Road, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Dou Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China;
| | - Jing Wang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.J.); (X.W.); (J.W.)
- Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, 45 South Gaoxin Road, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Chung-Hang Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Wanhe Wang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.J.); (X.W.); (J.W.)
- Research & Development Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shenzhen, 45 South Gaoxin Road, Shenzhen 518057, China
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Cole HD, Vali A, Roque JA, Shi G, Kaur G, Hodges RO, Francés-Monerris A, Alberto ME, Cameron CG, McFarland SA. Ru(II) Phenanthroline-Based Oligothienyl Complexes as Phototherapy Agents. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:21181-21200. [PMID: 38079387 PMCID: PMC10754219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have gained widespread attention as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we systematically investigate a series of the type [Ru(phen)2(IP-nT)]2+, featuring 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) coligands and imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline ligands tethered to n = 0-4 thiophene rings (IP-nT). The complexes were characterized and investigated for their electrochemical, spectroscopic, and (photo)biological properties. The electrochemical oxidation of the nT unit shifted by -350 mV as n = 1 → 4 (+920 mV for Ru-1T, +570 mV for Ru-4T); nT reductions were observed in complexes Ru-3T (-2530 mV) and Ru-4T (-2300 mV). Singlet oxygen quantum yields ranged from 0.53 to 0.88, with Ru-3T and Ru-4T being equally efficient (∼0.88). Time-resolved absorption spectra of Ru-0T-1T were dominated by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) states (τTA = 0.40-0.85 μs), but long-lived intraligand charge-transfer (3ILCT) states were observed in Ru-2T-4T (τTA = 25-148 μs). The 3ILCT energies of Ru-3T and Ru-4T were computed to be 1.6 and 1.4 eV, respectively. The phototherapeutic efficacy against melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) under broad-band visible light (400-700 nm) increases as n = 0 → 4: Ru-0T was inactive up to 300 μM, Ru-1T-2T were moderately active (EC50 ∼ 600 nM, PI = 200), and Ru-3T (EC50 = 57 nM, PI > 1100) and Ru-4T (EC50 = 740 pM, PI = 114,000) were the most phototoxic. The activity diminishes with longer wavelengths of light and is completely suppressed for all complexes except Ru-3T and Ru-4T in hypoxia. Ru-4T is the more potent and robust PS in 1% O2 over seven biological replicates (avg EC50 = 1.3 μM, avg PI = 985). Ru-3T exhibited hypoxic activity in five of seven replicates, underscoring the need for biological replicates in compound evaluation. Singlet oxygen sensitization is likely responsible for phototoxic effects of the compounds in normoxia, but the presence of redox-active excited states may facilitate additional photoactive pathways for complexes with three or more thienyl groups. The 3ILCT state with its extended lifetime (30-40× longer than the 3MLCT state for Ru-3T and Ru-4T) implicates its predominant role in photocytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houston D. Cole
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
| | - Abbas Vali
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
| | - John A. Roque
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402 USA
| | - Ge Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
| | - Gurleen Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
| | - Rachel O. Hodges
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402 USA
| | | | - Marta E. Alberto
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Italy
| | - Colin G. Cameron
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
| | - Sherri A. McFarland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, 76019-0065 USA
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Izquierdo-García E, Rovira A, Forcadell J, Bosch M, Marchán V. Exploring Structural-Photophysical Property Relationships in Mitochondria-Targeted Deep-Red/NIR-Emitting Coumarins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17427. [PMID: 38139255 PMCID: PMC10743691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Izquierdo-García
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer Martí i Franquès 1-11, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Rovira
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer Martí i Franquès 1-11, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Forcadell
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer Martí i Franquès 1-11, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Bosch
- Unitat de Microscòpia Òptica Avançada, Centres Científics i Tecnològics de la Universitat de Barcelona (CCiTUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Marchán
- Secció de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer Martí i Franquès 1-11, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Ortega-Forte E, Rovira A, López-Corrales M, Hernández-García A, Ballester FJ, Izquierdo-García E, Jordà-Redondo M, Bosch M, Nonell S, Santana MD, Ruiz J, Marchán V, Gasser G. A near-infrared light-activatable Ru(ii)-coumarin photosensitizer active under hypoxic conditions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7170-7184. [PMID: 37416722 PMCID: PMC10321499 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01844j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising approach for cancer treatment. However, the oxygen dependency of PDT to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) hampers its therapeutic efficacy, especially against hypoxic solid tumors. In addition, some photosensitizers (PSs) have dark toxicity and are only activatable with short wavelengths such as blue or UV-light, which suffer from poor tissue penetration. Herein, we developed a novel hypoxia-active PS with operability in the near-infrared (NIR) region based on the conjugation of a cyclometalated Ru(ii) polypyridyl complex of the type [Ru(C^N)(N^N)2] to a NIR-emitting COUPY dye. The novel Ru(ii)-coumarin conjugate exhibits water-solubility, dark stability in biological media and high photostability along with advantageous luminescent properties that facilitate both bioimaging and phototherapy. Spectroscopic and photobiological studies revealed that this conjugate efficiently generates singlet oxygen and superoxide radical anions, thereby achieving high photoactivity toward cancer cells upon highly-penetrating 740 nm light irradiation even under hypoxic environments (2% O2). The induction of ROS-mediated cancer cell death upon low-energy wavelength irradiation along with the low dark toxicity exerted by this Ru(ii)-coumarin conjugate could circumvent tissue penetration issues while alleviating the hypoxia limitation of PDT. As such, this strategy could pave the way to the development of novel NIR- and hypoxia-active Ru(ii)-based theragnostic PSs fuelled by the conjugation of tunable, low molecular-weight COUPY fluorophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Ortega-Forte
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca) E-30071 Murcia Spain
| | - Anna Rovira
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB) Martí i Franquès 1-11 E-08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Marta López-Corrales
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB) Martí i Franquès 1-11 E-08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Alba Hernández-García
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca) E-30071 Murcia Spain
| | - Francisco José Ballester
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca) E-30071 Murcia Spain
| | - Eduardo Izquierdo-García
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB) Martí i Franquès 1-11 E-08028 Barcelona Spain
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France
| | - Mireia Jordà-Redondo
- Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull Vía Augusta 390 E-08017 Barcelona Spain
| | - Manel Bosch
- Unitat de Microscòpia Òptica Avançada, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona Av. Diagonal 643 E-08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Santi Nonell
- Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull Vía Augusta 390 E-08017 Barcelona Spain
| | - María Dolores Santana
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca) E-30071 Murcia Spain
| | - José Ruiz
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca) E-30071 Murcia Spain
| | - Vicente Marchán
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB) Martí i Franquès 1-11 E-08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology F-75005 Paris France
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