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Highly Stable and Red‐Emitting Nanovesicles Incorporating Lipophilic Diketopyrrolopyrroles for Cell Imaging
Author(s) -
Ardizzone Antonio,
Blasi Davide,
Vona Danilo,
Rosspeintner Arnulf,
Punzi Angela,
Altamura Emiliano,
Grimaldi Natascia,
Sala Santi,
Vauthey Eric,
Farinola Gianluca M.,
Ratera Imma,
Ventosa Nora,
Veciana Jaume
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201801444
Subject(s) - fluorescence , nanomaterials , molecule , nanotechnology , chemistry , biophysics , colloid , brightness , fluorescence microscope , nanoparticle , homogeneity (statistics) , membrane , materials science , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , biochemistry , biology , statistics , mathematics , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have recently attracted much interest as very bright and photostable red‐emitting molecules. However, their tendency to form nonfluorescent aggregates in water through the aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) effect is a major issue that limits their application under the microscope. Herein, two DPP molecules have been incorporated into the membrane of highly stable and water‐soluble quatsomes (QS; nanovesicles composed of surfactants and sterols), which allow their nanostructuration in water and, at the same time, limits the ACQ effect. The obtained fluorescent organic nanoparticles showed superior structural homogeneity, along with long‐term colloidal and optical stability. A thorough one‐ (1P) and two‐photon (2P) fluorescence characterization revealed the promising photophysical features of these fluorescent nanovesicles, which showed a high 1P and 2P brightness. Finally, the fluorescent QSs were used for the in vitro bioimaging of Saos‐2 osteosarcoma cell lines; this demonstrates their potential as nanomaterials for bioimaging applications.