Dual ROS and temperature sensing using luminescent rare earth vanadate nanoparticles

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are cellular secondary messengers that are responsible for signaling and regulating various cellular processes but are also involved in many diseases and disorders including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and many types of cancers. The metabolism of these species in the organism is accompanied by highly localized temperature changes, which are difficult to monitor using conventional contact thermometry. A multimodal approach to monitoring simultaneously ROS and temperature variations has not been investigated so far. To achieve such sensing, we propose to develop a methodology based on the redox and optical properties of different lanthanides (Ln3+) doped yttrium orthovanadates (YVO4) nanoparticles. This multimodal nanostructured material will combine the redox properties of Eu3+ and the thermometric features of Er3+. The nanoprobe-based ROS and temperature detection system will be designed using the simultaneous detection of the luminescence from the individual lanthanide nanoparticles (YVO4:Er3+ or YVO4:Yb3+,Er3+, and reduced YVO4:Eu3+ or YVO4:Dy3+,Eu3+). The responses will be evaluated using ratiometric luminescence intensities in single-nanoparticle detection system. The elaboration of such systems can contribute significantly to the understanding of intracellular signaling processes and in studies of processes associated with several pathologies. (AU)