Issue 49, 2024

Cell viability imaging in tumor spheroids via DNA binding of a ruthenium(ii) light-switch complex

Abstract

The famous ‘‘light-switch’’ ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)](PF6)2 (1) has been long known for its DNA binding properties in vitro. However, the biological utility of this compound has been hampered by its poor cellular uptake in living cells. Here we report a bioimaging application of 1 as cell viability probe in both 2D cells monolayer and 3D multi-cellular tumor spheroids of various human cancer cell lines (U87, HepG2, A549). When compared to propidium iodide, a routinely used cell viability probe, 1 was found to enhance the staining of dead cells in particular in tumor spheroids. 1 has high photostability, longer Stokes shift, and displays lower cytotoxicity compared to propidium iodide, which is a known carcinogenic. Finally, 1 was also found to displace the classical DNA binding dye Hoechst in dead cells, which makes it a promising dye for time-dependent imaging of dead cells in cell cultures, including multi-cellular tumor spheroids.

Graphical abstract: Cell viability imaging in tumor spheroids via DNA binding of a ruthenium(ii) light-switch complex

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
28 Mar 2024
Accepted
07 May 2024
First published
13 May 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6308-6311

Cell viability imaging in tumor spheroids via DNA binding of a ruthenium(II) light-switch complex

V. Ramu, L. S. Wijaya, N. Beztsinna, C. Van de Griend, B. van de Water, S. Bonnet and S. E. Le Dévédec, Chem. Commun., 2024, 60, 6308 DOI: 10.1039/D4CC01425A

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