A fluorescent ratiometric potassium sensor based on IPG4-silica microparticles for selective detection and fluorescence imaging of potassium cations

J Mater Chem B. 2024 Oct 23;12(41):10573-10583. doi: 10.1039/d4tb01047g.

Abstract

Potassium cations play many important roles in living organisms, especially in electro-physiology, since they are involved in neurotransmission and muscle contractions. We report the synthesis of a ratiometric fluorescent microsensor for potassium (K+) detection, based on the fluorescent probe ION potassium green 4. Potassium-sensitive fluorescent microparticles were obtained by using silica as the core material. We obtained silica-based microsensors with sizes in the micrometer range, spherical shapes, good monodispersity, optimal selectivity and a sensitivity range of 0 to 40 mM. The microsensors also proved to be non-toxic in cell cultures and suitable for fluorescence imaging, offering new possibilities for non-invasive optical detection, quantification and in situ monitoring of K+ variations in cell culture systems.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cations* / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes* / chemical synthesis
  • Fluorescent Dyes* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Optical Imaging*
  • Particle Size
  • Potassium* / analysis
  • Potassium* / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide* / chemistry

Substances

  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Potassium
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Cations