Combination of [12]aneN₃ and Triphenylamine-Benzylideneimidazolone as Nonviral Gene Vectors with Two-Photon and AIE Properties

Three nonviral gene vectors, TPA-BI-A/B/C, have been designed and synthesized by the combination of one or two hydrophilic [12]aneN3 moieties and two-photon fluorescent triphenylamine-benzylideneimidazolone (TPA-BI) units through different ester linkage. Spectroscopic characterization demonstrated that TPA-BI-A/B/C had strong aggregation-induced emissions (AIE), large Stokes shifts (230, 284, and 263 nm), and large two-photon absorption cross sections (δ2PA) (67, 592, and 80 GM). Gel electrophoresis indicated that the three compounds completely condensed DNA at 15 μM in the presence of DOPE, and showed the lipase- and pH-triggered reversible release of DNA and the fluorescent recognition of the different lengths of ssDNA and dsDNA. The optimal TPA-BI-C/DOPE-mediated luciferase and GFP activity was 146% and 290% higher than those of Lipo2000. The transfection process of DNA could be traced clearly through one- and two-photon fluorescence spectra, and displayed in a 3D-video. TPA-BI-C/DOPE successfully transfected the GFP gene into zebrafish, which was superior to Lipo2000 (192%). In conclusion, TPA-BI-C/DOPE is the first nonviral gene vector with the abilities of pH/lipase enzyme responsiveness, one/two-photon fluorescent tracking of intracellular delivery of DNA, and successful transfection in vivo and in vitro, even better than Lipo2000.