Dynamic Excimer (DYNEX) Imaging of Lipid Droplets

Unraveling cellular
physiological processes via luminescent probes
that target specific cellular microenvironments is quite challenging
due to the uneven distribution of probes. Herein, we designed a new
dynamic excimer (DYNEX) imaging method that involves the sensitive
detection of nanosecond-scale dynamic molecular contacts of a fluorescent
acridone derivative and reveals the cell microenvironment polarity.
Using our method, we specifically tracked cell lipid droplets in fibroblast
colon carcinoma cells. These organelles play a central role in metabolic
pathways, acting as energy reservoirs in regulatory processes. DYNEX
imaging provides the inner polarity of cell lipid droplets, which
can be related to lipid contents and metabolic dysfunctions. This
new methodology will inspire development of novel multidimensional
fluorescent sensors that are able to provide target-specific and orthogonal
information at the nanosecond scale.