Graphene oxide-based NIR fluorescence probe with aggregation-induced emission property for lectins detection and liver cells targeting

Two new AIE-based glycosyl probes (PT-Man and PT-Gal) have been developed for the detection of lectin-sugar interactions, and they exhibit significant fluorescence enhancement upon addition of a selective lectin. Compared to the PT-Man and PT-Gal, GO-based glycosyl probes (PT-Man@GO and PT-Gal@GO) show better sensitivity and selectivity for the selective lectins. Moreover, the liver cancer cell line expressing transmembrane glycoprotein receptors can be specifically targeted by PT-Gal@GO in a fluorescence manner.