Novel donor-pi-acceptor (D-pi-A) and donor-pi-acceptor-pi-donor (D-pi-A-pi-D) type pyrimidine imidazole derivatives with flexible ether chains (L1 and L2) have been efficiently synthesized through improved Knoevenagel condensation and Ullmann reactions with high yields. Based on systematic photophysical investigations and theoretical calculations, the structure-property relationships can be described as follows: (1) the linear and nonlinear optical properties of the target chromophores change regularly with increasing the number of branches and the polarity of the solvents. (2) The single-substituted chromophore L2 exhibited a remarkable negative solvato-kinetic effect, while the double-substituted chromophore L1 showed a positive solvato-kinetic effect. Significant bathochromic shifting of the emission spectra and larger Stokes shifts were observed in polar solvents. (3) The two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section results further demonstrated that their TPA cross section values (delta) increase notably with increasing branch number, and the presence of high pi-delocalization could induce large size-scalable TPA enhancements. (4) By comprehensively considering the optical performance, cytotoxicity and solubility, L1 was identified as the better candidate for living cell (HepG2) imaging.

A series of novel D-pi-A type two-photon absorption (2PA) imidazole-pyrimidine derivatives (EX-1 similar to EX-4) have been synthesized and characterized, with EX-1 was crystallography confirmed. Based on systematic photophysical investigations, the structure property relationships can be drawn as follows: (1) Both theoretical and experimental studies indicated that the different donor groups have large influences on the optical properties. (2) The 2PA cross-section values (sigma) were obtained both by Z-Scan and two photon excited fluorescence (2PEF) measurements. 2PA cross sections show an increasing trend with increasing electron-donating strength and the number of branches. (3) Comprehensively considered the optical performance, molecular volume, cytotoxicity and solubility, EX-1 and EX-2 were identified to be the best candidates for living cells (HepG2) imaging. Moreover, the 2PA excitable features of EX-1 and EX-2 are capable of imaging in fresh mouses liver tissues with a depth of ca. 70 mu m. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

It is still a challenge to obtain two-photon excited fluorescent bioimaging probes with intense emission, high photo-stability and low cytotoxicity. In the present work, four Zn(II)-coordinated complexes (1-4) constructed from two novel D-A and D-p-A ligands (L-1 and L-2) are investigated both experimentally and theoretically, aiming to explore efficient two-photon probes for bioimaging. Molecular geometry optimization used for theoretical calculations is achieved using the crystallographic data. Notably, the results indicate that complexes 1 and 2 display enhanced two-photon absorption (2PA) cross sections compared to their corresponding D-A ligand (L1). Furthermore, it was found that complex 1 has the advantages of moderate 2PA cross section in the near-infrared region, longer fluorescence lifetime, higher quantum yield, good biocompatibility and enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence. Therefore, complex 1 is evaluated as a bioimaging probe for in vitro imaging of HepG2 cells, in which it is observed under a two-photon scanning microscope that complex 1 exhibits effective co-staining with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear membrane; as well as for in vivo imaging of zebrafish larva, in which it is observed that complex 1 exhibits specificity in the intestinal system.

Objectives In this study we investigated the potentials of dual-modal CT-MRI macrophage tracking, by a intratracheal instillation of a mixture of either gadolinium nanoparticles or barium sulphate loaded alveolar macrophages into mice of an allergic airway inflammation (asthma) model and their respective healthy control, imaged with Synchrotron X-rays microtomography (SR μCT) and Micro Magnetic Resonance Imaging (μMRI).

Materials and Methods The mice were scanned ex vivo using SRμCT at 22 keV and with a 9.4 Tesla μMRI scanner. The CT and MRI data sets were registered and fused together, followed by quantitative and statistical analysis.

Results The asthmatic sample injected with contrast agent loaded macrophages showed high absorbing spots inside the soft-tissue regions of the lung for the CT data set, as well as higher contrast for the soft-tissue in the MRI data set. Furthermore, the correlation analysis showed a perfect negative correlation between the soft tissue mean grey value in CT and the soft tissue mean grey value in MRI.

Conclusion The dual-modal CT-MRI cell tracking of intratracheally administered macrophages (loaded with contrast agent) in an asthmatic mouse helps to extract synergistic information about the migration  behaviour of macrophages, where clusters of cells were detected in CT, while as a general increase of the soft-tissue contrast could be observed in MRI, due to a homogeneous cell distribution.

We present novel cell uptake methodologies related to the usage of MRI/CT contrast agents for the purpose of performing dual-modal cell tracking with macrophages in both MRI and CT. Two different techniques, namely Synchrotron X-rays microtomography and Micro Magnetic Resonance Imaging were used to investigate the contrast  enhancement, as an effect of the MRI/CT contrast agent cell uptake of mouse alveolar macrophages. Macrophages loaded with the  commercial contrast agent Micropaque® CT, containing barium sulphate (BaSO4) immersed in Sorbitol, showed a much higher contrast enhancement in CT, than an MRI/CT contrast agent based on Gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs). The CT contrast of GdNPs (at 5 mM of Gd) could be increased, by immersing the GdNPs in Sorbitol, while still maintaining a positive T1-contrast in MRI. The idea of co-loading macrophages with both BaSO4 and GdNP inside the same cells  presented a valid "trade off" between the optimal contrast in CT vs. MRI etc. It was concluded that while optimizing the cell uptake of contrast agent for cell tracking in MRI/CT, it is important to make a "trade off" between the following 3 parameters, 1) optimal contrast in CT, 2) optimal contrast in MRI and 3) metabolic cell activity, depending on the given application. These cell optimization ideas may be of importance to every field aiming to image an inflammatory disease, based on the utilization of contrast agent loaded macrophages.

Platelets are considered to have important functions in inflammatory processes as key players in innate immunity. Toll like receptors (TLRs), expressed on platelets, recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns and trigger immune responses. Pathogens are able to adhere to human tissues and form biofilms which cause a continuous activation of the immune system. The authors aimed to investigate how immobilized Pam(3)CSK(4) (a synthetic TLR2/1 agonist) and IgG, respectively, resembling a bacterial focus, affects adhesion and activation of platelets including release of two cytokines, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The authors also aim to clarify the signaling downstream of TLR2/1 and Fc gamma RII (IgG receptor) and the role of adenine nucleotides in this process. Biolayers of Pam(3)CSK(4) and IgG, respectively, were confirmed by null-ellipsometry and contact angle measurements. Platelets were preincubated with signaling inhibitors for scr and Syk and antagonists for P2X1 or P2Y1 [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptors] prior to addition to the surfaces. The authors show that platelets adhere and spread on both Pam(3)CSK(4)- and IgG-coated surfaces and that this process is antagonized by scr and Syc inhibitors as well as P2X1 and P2Y antagonists. This suggests that Pam(3)CSK(4) activated platelets utilize the same pathway as Fc gamma RII. Moreover, the authors show that ATP-ligation of P2X1 is of importance for further platelet activation after TLR2/1-activation, and that P2Y12 is the prominent ADP-receptor involved in adhesion and spreading. RANTES and MIF were secreted over time from platelets adhering to the coated surfaces, but no MIF was released upon stimulation with soluble Pam(3)CSK(4). These results clarify the importance of TLR2/1 and Fc gamma RII in platelet adhesion and activation, and strengthen the role of platelets as an active player in sensing bacterial infections. (C) 2014 American Vacuum Society.

Gadolinium decorated ZnO nanoparticles simultaneously possess both fluorescent and MR enhancement properties. These ZnO nanoparticles are crystalline and shielded by an amorphous gadolinium acetate matrix. Interestingly, the Gd-acetate decoration enhances the fluorescence emission of the ZnO nanoparticles. The quantum yield does increase for samples with high Gd/Zn relative ratios and these samples do also show a higher colloidal stability.

In addition, these nanoparticles show an enhanced relaxivity value per Gd atom (r₁19.9mM¹s^-1) compared to results earlier reported both on Gd alloyed ZnO nanoparticles and pure Gd2O3 nanoparticles. This improvement is considered to be due to the close proximity of Gd atoms and surrounding water molecules. A comprehensive study of the quantum yield and the relaxivity, as a function of composition, enable us to identify the ultimate design/composition of gadolinium decorated ZnO nanoparticles for optimum fluorescence and MR enhancement properties.

Water-dispersible and luminescent gadolinium oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) were designed and synthesized for potential dual-modal biological imaging. They were obtained by capping gadolinium oxide nanoparticles with a fluorescent glycol-based conjugated carboxylate (HL). The obtained nanoparticles (GO-L) show long-term colloidal stability and intense blue fluorescence. In addition, L can sensitize the luminescence of europium(III) through the so-called antenna effect. Thus, to extend the spectral ranges of emission, europium was introduced into L-modified gadolinium oxide nanoparticles. The obtained Eu-III-doped particles (Eu:GO-L) can provide visible red emission, which is more intensive than that without L capping. The average diameter of the monodisperse modified oxide cores is about 4nm. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the L-modified nanoparticles was estimated to be about 13nm. The nanoparticles show effective longitudinal water proton relaxivity. The relaxivity values obtained for GO-L and Eu:GO-L were r(1)=6.4 and 6.3s(-1)mM(-1) with r(2)/r(1) ratios close to unity at 1.4T. Longitudinal proton relaxivities of these nanoparticles are higher than those of positive contrast agents based on gadolinium complexes such as Gd-DOTA, which are commonly used for clinical magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, these particles are suitable for cellular imaging and show good biocompatibility.

Blood platelets express several receptors involved in immunity (e.g. complement-, toll-like- and Fc gamma-receptors) and release inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates has an important role during inflammatory conditions such as coronary artery disease. Thus, apart from their well-known role in haemostasis, platelets are today also recognized as cells with immunomodulatory properties. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanWe have previously reported regulatory effects of complement protein 1q (C1q) on platelet activation in experimental setups using isolated cells. In the present study we have proceeded by investigating effects of C1q on collagen-induced aggregation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates and levels of soluble P-selectin in whole blood. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanImpedance measurements showed that C1q inhibited collagen-induced aggregation whereas it potentiated the collagen-provoked production of ROS in a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The effects of C1q on aggregation and ROS-production were dependent upon platelets, as they were no longer observed in presence of the platelet (GpIIb/IIIa) inhibitor Reopro. Furthermore, the levels of soluble P-selectin were found to be lowered upon treatment with C1q prior to addition of collagen. There was also a trend towards a decreased formation of large platelet-leukocyte aggregates in collagen-stimulated whole blood following C1q treatment. In conclusion, our data indicate that C1q could have a role in regulating platelet activation and associated leukocyte recruitment during vessel wall injury. This has implications for inflammatory disorders such as coronary artery disease.

We have previously shown that gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles are promising candidates to be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging applications. In this study, these nanoparticles were investigated in a cellular system, as possible probes for visualization and targeting intended for bioimaging applications. We evaluated the impact of the presence of Gd2O3 nanoparticles on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from human neutrophils, by means of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Three sets of Gd2O3 nanoparticles were studied, i.e. as synthesized, dialyzed and both PEG-functionalized and dialyzed Gd2O3 nanoparticles. In addition, neutrophil morphology was evaluated by fluorescent staining of the actin cytoskeleton and fluorescence microscopy. We show that surface modification of these nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is essential in order to increase their biocompatibility. We observed that the as synthesized nanoparticles markedly decreased the ROS production from neutrophils challenged with prey (opsonized yeast particles) compared to controls without nanoparticles. After functionalization and dialysis, more moderate inhibitory effects were observed at a corresponding concentration of gadolinium. At lower gadolinium concentration the response was similar to that of the control cells. We suggest that the diethylene glycol (DEG) present in the as synthesized nanoparticle preparation is responsible for the inhibitory effects on the neutrophil oxidative burst. Indeed, in the present study we also show that even a low concentration of DEG, 0.3%, severely inhibits neutrophil function. In summary, the low cellular response upon PEG-functionalized Gd2O3 nanoparticle exposure indicates that these nanoparticles are promising candidates for MR-imaging purposes.