Volume 21, Issue 24 2502806
Research Article

A Lifetime Nanosensor for In Vivo pH Quantitative Imaging and Monitoring

Yiwei Fan

Yiwei Fan

Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Yuetian Pei

Yuetian Pei

Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Donghao Hu

Corresponding Author

Donghao Hu

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Yukai Wu

Yukai Wu

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China

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Kuangshi Sun

Kuangshi Sun

Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Lei Chen

Lei Chen

Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Jiamiao Yin

Jiamiao Yin

Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Weigang Yan

Weigang Yan

Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730 China

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Mei Shi

Mei Shi

Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Wei Feng

Wei Feng

Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Xin Liu

Xin Liu

Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China

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Fuyou Li

Corresponding Author

Fuyou Li

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 23 April 2025

Abstract

Non-invasive, in vivo quantitative imaging for long-term biomarker monitoring is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms, advancing precision medicine, and transforming diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. However, developing chemical sensors for sustained in vivo quantitative monitoring despite sensor concentration fluctuations, excitation variability, and tissue interference remains a major challenge. Here, a long-lifetime nanosensor based on a lanthanide-dye nanocomposite is presented that overcomes these limitations, enabling precise quantitative in vivo pH monitoring. Benefiting from a 64-fold reversible change in the dye's molar extinction coefficient, this nanosensor enables the dynamic tuning of reversible non-radiative energy transfer (RNET) efficiency (6.42%–35.23%) and luminescence lifetime (265–383 µs). This nanosensor enables 4 h of monitoring of gastrointestinal pH dynamics in mice following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration, offering new insights into pharmacodynamic effects across different administration routes and dosages and inter-individual variability in drug efficacy. Moreover, coordination with lanthanide nanocrystals induces a significant shift in the dye's pKa, highlighting the importance of nanomaterial interface engineering. This work establishes a versatile platform for in vivo diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring, marking a significant step forward in precision medicine.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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