1O2 Release Research Articles

A singlet oxygen-storing covalent organic framework for “Afterglow” photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment but often restricted by the availability of oxygen. Enhancing the lifespan of singlet oxygen (1O2) by fractionated generation is an effective approach to improve the efficacy of PDT. Herein, an imine-based nanoscale COF (TpDa-COF) has been synthesized and functionalized with a pyridone-derived structure (Py) to create a 1O2-storing nanoplatform TpDa-COF@Py, which can reversibly capture and release 1O2. Under 660 nm laser exposure, Py interacts with 1O2 produced by the porphyrin motif in COF backbones to generate 1O2-enriched COF (TpDa-COF@Py + hv), followed by the release of 1O2 through retro-Diels-Alder reactions at physiological temperatures. The continuous producing and releasing of 1O2 upon laser exposure leads to an “afterglow” effect and a prolonged 1O2 lifespan. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrates that TpDa-COF@Py + hv exhibits an extremely low half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.54 µg/mL on 4T1 cells. Remarkably, the Py-mediated TpDa-COF@Py nanoplatform demonstrates enhanced cell-killing capability under laser exposure, attributed to the sustained 1O2 cycling, compared to TpDa-COF alone. Further in vivo assessment highlights the potential of TpDa-COF@Py + hv as a promising strategy to enhance phototheronostics and achieve effective tumor regression. Accordingly, the study supplies a generalized 1O2 “afterglow” nanoplatform to improve the effectiveness of PDT.

Molecular and Formulation Strategies for Photosensitizer Design

SignificanceTargeted delivery and selective activation of photosensitizers (PSs) is a fundamental aim in the design of photosensitizers. Ideally, the desired properties should be imprinted in the molecular structure during the design process. ApproachA combination of molecular functionalization, conformational design, linking to solubilizing agents and incorporation of singlet oxygen trapping moieties was used in synthetic organic chemistry photosensitizer methods development. ResultsWe show that: a) the molecular shape of a drug is important for cell internalization and controlling triplet state formation, b) macrocycle distortion can be used to modulate the photophysical parameters, c) singlet oxygen trapping units are suitable for controlled release of 1O2, and d) that incorporation of PSs into hydrogels facilitates a PDT-induced response of the immune system. ConclusionsMolecular design in organic synthesis can be used to develop new classes of photosensitizers with improved uptake, targeting, and PDT properties.

Oxygen Hole Formation Controls Stability in LiNiO2 Cathodes: DFT Studies of Oxygen Loss and Singlet Oxygen Formation in Li-Ion Batteries

Ni-rich cathode materials achieve both high voltages and capacities in Li-ion batteries but are prone to structural instabilities and oxygen loss via the formation of singlet oxygen. Using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we observe spontaneous O2 loss from the (012) surface of delithiated LiNiO2, singlet oxygen forming in the process. We find that the origin of the instability lies in the pronounced oxidation of O during delithiation, i.e., O plays a central role in Ni-O redox in LiNiO2. For LiNiO2, NiO2, and the prototype rock salt NiO, density-functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory calculations based on maximally localised Wannier functions yield a Ni charge state of ca. +2, with O varying between –2 (NiO), –1.5 (LiNiO2) and –1 (NiO2). Predicted XAS Ni K and O K-edge spectra are in excellent agreement with experimental XAS spectra, confirming the predicted charge states. The calculations also show that a high-voltage O K-edge feature at 531 eV previously assigned to lattice O-redox processes could alternatively arise from O-redox induced water intercalation and O–O dimer formation with lattice O at high states of charge. The O2 surface loss route observed here consists of 2 surface O•– radicals combining to form a peroxide ion, which is oxidised to O2, leaving behind 2 O vacancies and 2 O2– ions: effectively 4 O•– radicals disproportionate to O2 and 2 O2– ions. The reaction liberates ca. 3 eV per O2 molecule. Singlet oxygen formation is caused by the singlet ground state of the peroxide ion, with spin conservation dictating the preferential release of 1O2, the strongly exergonic reaction providing the free energy required for the formation of 1O2 in its excited state.

Insights into the LiI Redox Mediation in Aprotic Li-O2 Batteries: Solvation Effects and Singlet Oxygen Evolution.

Lithium-oxygen aprotic batteries (aLOBs) are highly promising next-generation secondary batteries due to their high theoretical energy density. However, the practical implementation of these batteries is hindered by parasitic reactions that negatively impact their reversibility and cycle life. One of the challenges lies in the oxidation of Li2O2, which requires large overpotentials if not catalyzed. To address this issue, redox mediators (RMs) have been proposed to reduce the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotentials. In this study, we focus on a lithium iodide RM and investigate its role on the degradation chemistry and the release of singlet oxygen in aLOBs, in different solvent environments. Specifically, we compare the impact of a polar solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and a low polarity solvent, tetraglyme (G4). We demonstrate a strong interplay between solvation, degradation, and redox mediation in OER by LiI in aLOBs. The results show that LiI in DMSO-based electrolytes leads to extensive degradation and to 1O2 release, affecting the cell performance, while in G4-based electrolytes, the release of 1O2 appears to be suppressed, resulting in better cyclability.

Visible Light and Microwave-Mediated Rapid Trapping and Release of Singlet Oxygen Using a Coordination Polymer.

Due to its high reactivity and oxidative strength, singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) is used in a variety of fields including organic synthesis, biomedicine, photodynamic therapy and materials science. Despite its importance, the controlled trapping and release of 1 O2 is extremely challenging. Herein, we describe a one-dimensional coordination polymer, CP1, which upon irradiation with visible light, transforms 3 O2 (triplet oxygen) to 1 O2 . CP1 consists of CdII centers bridged by 9,10-bis((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)anthracene ligands which undergo a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with 1 O2 , resulting in the generation of CP1-1 O2 . Using microwave irradiation, CP1-1 O2 displays efficient release of 1 O2 , over a period of 30 s. In addition, CP1 exhibits enhanced fluorescence and has an oxygen detection limit of 97.4 ppm. Theoretical calculations reveal that the fluorescence behaviour is dominated by unique through-space conjugation. In addition to describing a highly efficient approach for the trapping and controlled release of 1 O2 , using coordination polymers, this work also provides encouragement for the development of efficient fluorescent oxygen sensors.

Visible Light and Microwave‐Mediated Rapid Trapping and Release of Singlet Oxygen Using a Coordination Polymer

AbstractDue to its high reactivity and oxidative strength, singlet oxygen (1O2) is used in a variety of fields including organic synthesis, biomedicine, photodynamic therapy and materials science. Despite its importance, the controlled trapping and release of 1O2 is extremely challenging. Herein, we describe a one‐dimensional coordination polymer, CP1, which upon irradiation with visible light, transforms 3O2 (triplet oxygen) to 1O2. CP1 consists of CdII centers bridged by 9,10‐bis((E)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)vinyl)anthracene ligands which undergo a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with 1O2, resulting in the generation of CP1−1O2. Using microwave irradiation, CP1−1O2 displays efficient release of 1O2, over a period of 30 s. In addition, CP1 exhibits enhanced fluorescence and has an oxygen detection limit of 97.4 ppm. Theoretical calculations reveal that the fluorescence behaviour is dominated by unique through‐space conjugation. In addition to describing a highly efficient approach for the trapping and controlled release of 1O2, using coordination polymers, this work also provides encouragement for the development of efficient fluorescent oxygen sensors.

Enhancing the singlet oxygen capture and release rate of metal−organic frameworks through interpenetration tuning

Recognized as one of the important active species involved in various reactions, singlet oxygen (1O2) shows potential applications in chemical, biological, and environmental related fields. However, the controlled capture and release of 1O2 are still facing huge challenges due to its short lifetime and high reactivity. Herein, a framework-interpenetration tuning strategy was applied on a metal-organic framework (MOF) that aiming to improve the capture and release rate of 1O2. The porosity of the MOF was remarkably enhanced with the structural evolution from seven-fold (termed NKM-181) to six-fold interpenetration (termed NKM-182), and the active anthracene sites became much more accessible. Such drastic process can be achieved as simple as exchanging the primitive MOF in selected solvent and occurred surprisingly as single-crystal to single-crystal transformation. Also, additionally owing to the unblocked regular channels, NKM-182 shown significantly improved 1O2 trapping and releasing rates compared to that of in NKM-181. This work demonstrates an unprecedented regulation of 1O2 capture and release process, along with achieving the highest 1O2 capture and release rate among reported porous materials. Furthermore, the obtained endoperoxides with 1O2 loaded (termed EPO-NKM-181 and EPO-NKM-182) can be used as a high efficiency smart material for anti-fake application

Overcoming Tumor Hypoxia through Multiple Pathways Using an All-in-One Polymeric Therapeutic Agent to Enhance Synergistic Cancer Photo/Chemotherapy Effects.

Hypoxia is a significant characteristic of tumors, which causes aggressive tumor growth and strong therapy resistance. Inspired by the improved therapeutic efficacy of synergistic treatment, herein, an all-in-one polymeric therapeutic agent was developed, which could overcome tumor hypoxia through multiple pathways. Multiple therapeutic agents were incorporated into the polymer, including the singlet oxygen (1O2) carrier unit to store cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, the photosensitized and photothermal unit to trigger the capture and release of 1O2, and the hypoxia-responsive prodrug unit to maintain a long-term tumor inhibition. In addition, the hydrophilic polyethylene glycol unit was also introduced to improve water-solubility and biocompatibility. Importantly, this study achieved the capture and controllable release of 1O2 just by regulating the power of an 808 nm laser for the first time, which is more convenient and flexible than previous works. As expected, the as-prepared copolymer displayed reduced oxygen dependence, accompanied with promising synergistic anti-tumor and anti-recurrence efficacies under hypoxic in vitro and in vivo environments. Consequently, this synergistic anti-hypoxia strategy may open up new avenues in the design of all-in-one therapeutic platforms for promoting the development of accurate, efficient, and long-acting treatment in clinical studies.

Discovery of novel photosensitized nanoparticles as a preservative for the storage of strawberries and their activity against Botrytis cinerea

In this work, a novel antifungal Nanoparticles (NPs), Fe3O4@Ce6/C6@silane, based on photodynamic therapy (PDT) with excellent anti-Botrytis cinerea activity was reported. Due to the remarkable photosensitization properties of Fe3O4@Ce6/C6@silane, singlet oxygen (1O2) was generated from the photosensitizer Ce6 under red light irradiation, leading to the inhibitory activity of Fe3O4@Ce6/C6@silane against Botrytis cinerea. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Fe3O4@Ce6/C6@silane towards spore germination and hyphal growth in Botrytis cinerea were 0.022611 and 0.014213 g L−1, respectively. 1O2 generated from Ce6 was confirmed to be the actual antifungal active ingredient, not the irradiation itself. Furthermore, via the infection model involving construction of strawberries infected with Botrytis cinerea, it was found that Botrytis cinerea grew normally in strawberries from the blank and negative control groups, whereas strawberries treated with NPs under red light irradiation did not exhibit Botrytis cinerea growth within 8d of preservation. These results showed that Fe3O4@Ce6/C6@silane has an excellent inhibitory effect on Botrytis cinerea based on the release of 1O2 from Ce6 and could be used as a potential photosensitized preserving agent for fruit storage.

The Arabidopsis SAFEGUARD1 suppresses singlet oxygen-induced stress responses by protecting grana margins

Singlet oxygen (1O2), the major reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in chloroplasts, has been demonstrated recently to be a highly versatile signal that induces various stress responses. In the fluorescent (flu) mutant, its release causes seedling lethality and inhibits mature plant growth. However, these drastic phenotypes are suppressed when EXECUTER1 (EX1) is absent in the flu ex1 double mutant. We identified SAFEGUARD1 (SAFE1) in a screen of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized flu ex1 plants for suppressor mutants with a flu-like phenotype. In flu ex1 safe1, all 1O2-induced responses, including transcriptional rewiring of nuclear gene expression, return to levels, such as, or even higher than, those in flu Without SAFE1, grana margins (GMs) of chloroplast thylakoids (Thys) are specifically damaged upon 1O2 generation and associate with plastoglobules (PGs). SAFE1 is localized in the chloroplast stroma, and release of 1O2 induces SAFE1 degradation via chloroplast-originated vesicles. Our paper demonstrates that flu-produced 1O2 triggers an EX1-independent signaling pathway and proves that SAFE1 suppresses this signaling pathway by protecting GMs.

High‐Security Nanocluster for Switching Photodynamic Combining Photothermal and Acid‐Induced Drug Compliance Therapy Guided by Multimodal Active‐Targeting Imaging

AbstractHigh‐security nanoplatform with enhanced therapy compliance is extremely promising for tumor. Herein, using a simple and high‐efficient self‐assembly method, a novel active‐targeting nanocluster probe, namely, Ag2S/chlorin e6 (Ce6)/DOX@DSPE‐mPEG2000‐folate (ACD‐FA) is synthesized. Experiments indicate that ACD‐FA is capable of specifically labeling tumor and guiding targeting ablation of the tumor via precise positioning from fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. Importantly, the probe is endowed with a photodynamic “on‐off” effect, that is, Ag2S could effectively quench the fluorescence of chlorin e6 (89.5%) and inhibit release of 1O2 (92.7%), which is conducive to avoid unwanted phototoxicity during transhipment in the body, and only after nanocluster endocytosed by tumor cells could release Ce6 to produce 1O2. Moreover, ACD‐FA also achieves excellent acid‐responsive drug release, and exhibits eminent chemo‐photothermal and photodynamic effects upon laser irradiation. Compared with single or two treatment combining modalities, ACD‐FA could provide the best cancer therapeutic effect with a relatively low dose, because it made the most of combined effect from chemo‐photothermal and controlled photodynamic therapy, and significantly improves the drug compliance. Besides, the active‐targeting nanocluster notably reduces nonspecific toxicity of both doxorubicin and chlorin e6. Together, this study demonstrates the potency of a newly designed nanocluster for nonradioactive concomitant therapy with precise tumor‐targeting capability.

Photooxygenation of oxygen‐substituted naphthalenes

AbstractThe reaction of oxygen‐substituted naphthalenes with singlet oxygen (1O2) has been investigated, and labile endoperoxides have been isolated and characterized at –78°C for the first time. Low‐temperature kinetics by UV spectroscopy revealed that alkoxy and silyloxy substituents remarkably increase the rate of photooxygenations compared to 1,4‐dimethylnaphthalene, whereas acyloxy‐substituted acenes are inert towards 1O2. The reactivities nicely correlate with HOMO energies and free activation energies, which we determined by density functional theory calculations. The lability of the isolated endoperoxides is due to their very fast back reaction to the corresponding naphthalenes even at –20°C under release of 1O2, making them to superior sources of this reactive species under very mild conditions. Finally, a carbohydrate‐substituted naphthalene has been synthesized, which reacts reversibly with 1O2 and might be applied for enantioselective oxidations in future work.

Cell-Specific and pH-Activatable Rubyrin-Loaded Nanoparticles for Highly Selective Near-Infrared Photodynamic Therapy against Cancer

Spatiotemporal control of singlet oxygen ((1)O2) release is a major challenge for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer with high therapeutic efficacy and minimum side effects. Here a selenium-rubyrin (NMe2Se4N2)-loaded nanoparticle functionalized with folate (FA) was designed and synthesized as an acidic pH-activatable targeted photosensitizer. The nanoparticles could specifically recognize cancer cells via the FA-FA receptor binding and were selectively taken up by cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis to enter lysosomes, in which NMe2Se4N2 was activated to produce (1)O2. The pH-controllable release of (1)O2 specially damaged the lysosomes and thus killed cancer cells in a lysosome-associated pathway. The introduction of selenium into the rubyrin core enhanced the (1)O2 generation efficiency due to the heavy atom effect, and the substitution of dimethylaminophenyl moiety at meso-position led to the pH-controllable activation of NMe2Se4N2. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, NMe2Se4N2 possessed high singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) at an acidic pH (ΦΔ = 0.69 at pH 5.0 at 635 nm) and could be deactivated at physiological pH (ΦΔ = 0.06 at pH 7.4 at 635 nm). The subcellular location-confined pH-activatable photosensitization at NIR region and the cancer cell-targeting feature led to excellent capability to selectively kill cancer cells and prevent the damage to normal cells, which greatly lowered the side effects. Through intravenous injection of FA-NMe2Se4N2 nanoparticles in tumor-bearing mice, tumor elimination was observed after NIR irradiation. This work presents a new paradigm for specific PDT against cancer and provides a new avenue for preparation of highly efficient photosensitizers.

Light-induced acclimation of the Arabidopsis chlorina1 mutant to singlet oxygen.

Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is a reactive oxygen species that can function as a stress signal in plant leaves leading to programmed cell death. In microalgae, ¹O₂-induced transcriptomic changes result in acclimation to ¹O₂. Here, using a chlorophyll b-less Arabidopsis thaliana mutant (chlorina1 [ch1]), we show that this phenomenon can also occur in vascular plants. The ch1 mutant is highly photosensitive due to a selective increase in the release of ¹O₂ by photosystem II. Under photooxidative stress conditions, the gene expression profile of ch1 mutant leaves very much resembled the gene responses to ¹O₂ reported in the Arabidopsis mutant flu. Preexposure of ch1 plants to moderately elevated light intensities eliminated photooxidative damage without suppressing ¹O₂ formation, indicating acclimation to ¹O₂. Substantial differences in gene expression were observed between acclimation and high-light stress: A number of transcription factors were selectively induced by acclimation, and contrasting effects were observed for the jasmonate pathway. Jasmonate biosynthesis was strongly induced in ch1 mutant plants under high-light stress and was noticeably repressed under acclimation conditions, suggesting the involvement of this hormone in ¹O₂-induced cell death. This was confirmed by the decreased tolerance to photooxidative damage of jasmonate-treated ch1 plants and by the increased tolerance of the jasmonate-deficient mutant delayed-dehiscence2.

The specific interaction of the photosensitizer methylene blue with acetylcholinesterase provides a model system for studying the molecular consequences of photodynamic therapy

The photosensitizer, methylene blue (MB), generates singlet oxygen (1O2) that irreversibly inhibits Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (TcAChE). In the dark MB inhibits reversibly, binding being accompanied by a bathochromic shift that can be used to show its displacement by other reversible inhibitors binding to the catalytic ‘anionic’ subsite (CAS), the peripheral ‘anionic’ subsite (PAS), or bridging them. Data concerning both reversible and irreversible inhibition are here reviewed. MB protects TcAChE from thermal denaturation, and differential scanning calorimetry reveals a ∼8°C increase in the denaturation temperature. The crystal structure of the MB/TcAChE complex reveals a single MB stacked against W279 in the PAS, pointing down the gorge towards the CAS. The intrinsic fluorescence of the irreversibly inhibited enzyme displays new emission bands that can be ascribed to N′-formylkynurenine (NFK); this was indeed confirmed using anti-NFK antibodies. Mass spectroscopy revealed that two Trp residues, Trp84 in the CAS, and Trp279 in the PAS, were the only Trp residues, out of a total of 14, significantly modified by photo-oxidation, both being converted to NFK. In the presence of competitive inhibitors that displace MB from the gorge, their modification is completely prevented. Thus, photo-oxidative damage caused by MB involves targeted release of 1O2 by the bound photosensitizer within the aqueous milieu of the active-site gorge.

No single way to understand singlet oxygen signalling in plants

When plant cells are under environmental stress, several chemically distinct reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated simultaneously in various intracellular compartments and these can cause oxidative damage or act as signals. The conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis, which generates singlet oxygen in plastids during a dark-to-light transition, has allowed the biological activity of singlet oxygen to be determined, and the criteria to distinguish between cytotoxicity and signalling of this particular ROS to be defined. The genetic basis of singlet-oxygen-mediated signalling has been revealed by the mutation of two nuclear genes encoding the plastid proteins EXECUTER (EX)1 and EX2, which are sufficient to abrogate singlet-oxygen-dependent stress responses. Conversely, responses due to higher cytotoxic levels of singlet oxygen are not suppressed in the ex1/ex2 background. Whether singlet oxygen levels lower than those that trigger genetically controlled cell death activate acclimation is now under investigation.