Application of Quantum Dots to in Vitro and in Vivo pH Detection
Abstract
pH balance in the intra- and extracellular environments is an essential factor in the maintenance of normal cell functions. Intracellular pH significantly affects biological events, including apoptosis, drug resistance, ion transport, growth, and endocytosis. Dysregulation of intracellular pH is the cause of many diseases and life-threatening afflictions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and stroke. The ability to detect and monitor pH changes in cellular environments is, therefore, crucial to researchers’ understanding of the physiological processes, pathological processes, and biological effects caused by these changes. pH-sensitive optical probes, including fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-active materials, are widely used for intra- and extracellular pH measurement. pH-sensitive fluorescent probes are of interest for use in cell labeling. pH can be measured via microscopy by detecting a pH-dependent decrease or increase in the probes’ signals. pH-sensitive dyes and nanomaterials have been studied extensively, and their capacity for sensitive cellular pH detection has been verified. However, fluorescent dyes are subject to photobleaching; conversely, nanomaterials are more photostable. This chapter discusses the applications of quantum-confined particles for in vitro and in vivo pH sensing, including heavy metal-based quantum dots (QDs), carbon dots, Si nanocrystals, polymer dots, and graphene-based QDs.
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