Construction of probes or nanodevices capable of sensing pH with high spatial and temporal precision remains a challenge, despite their importance in monitoring of diverse physiological and pathological processes. Here we disclose the first remotely and noninvasively controlled DNA nanomachine that can monitor pH in live cells and animals in a temporally programmable manner. The nanomachine is designed by rational engineering of the DNA motif with a light-responsive element and further combination with an upconversion nanoparticle that works as a transducer to manipulate the nanomachine with the high precision of NIR light. The nanomachine not only allows for activated fluorescent imaging of intracellular pH, but it also can exert spatiotemporal control over its pH sensing activity in tumor-bearing mice by NIR light irradiation at a chosen time and place. This work illustrates the potential of combining DNA nanotechnology with upconversion tools to yield a precisely controlled nanomachine for temporally resolved pH sensing and imaging.

中文翻译：

---

通过远程可控制的DNA纳米机在体内实现时间分辨的pH传感和成像激活。

尽管探针或纳米装置在监测各种生理和病理过程中具有重要意义，但它们的构建仍需要挑战，该探针或纳米装置能够以高的时空精度检测pH。在这里，我们公开了第一台可以以时间可编程的方式监测活细胞和动物的pH值的远程无创控制的DNA纳米机器。纳米机器是通过合理设计具有光响应元件的DNA图案，并进一步与上转换纳米粒子结合而设计的，该上转换纳米粒子用作换能器，以高精度NIR光操纵纳米机器。纳米机器不仅可以激活细胞内pH的荧光成像，但它也可以通过在选定的时间和地点进行NIR光照射来对荷瘤小鼠的pH感测活性进行时空控制。这项工作说明了将DNA纳米技术与上转换工具相结合以产生用于时间分辨的pH传感和成像的精确控制的纳米机器的潜力。