Super-resolution imaging reveals the subcellular distribution of dextran at the nanoscale in living cells

Theranostic visualization of dextran at the nanoscale is beneficial for understanding the bioregulatory mechanisms of this molecule. In this study, we applied structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to capture the distribution of Cy5-Dextran at different incubation periods in living cells. The results showed that Cy5-Dextran could be absorbed by HeLa cells. In addition, we clarified that Cy5-Dextran exhibited differential organelle distribution (lysosomal or mitochondrial) in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, lysosomal Cy5-Dextran localization was found to be independent of the autophagy process, while Cy5-Dextran localized to the mitochondria triggered a pro-apoptotic event, upregulating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to accelerate mitochondrial fragmentation. This work uses a visualized strategy to reveal the anti-tumor bioactivity of dextran, which was achieved by regulating apoptosis and autophagy. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

In this study, researchers used structured illumination microscopy to investigate the distribution and cellular localization of Cy5-dextran in living cells. They found that Cy5-dextran could be absorbed by HeLa cells and exhibited differential distribution in lysosomes and mitochondria, triggering different biological responses.