A new luminescent Zn(II) coordination polymer: selective detection of TNP and enhancement activity on sepsis by regulating the miR-16 expression in immune cells

A novel coordination polymer based on Zn(II) ions as nodes, {[Zn₂TTPA(GA)₂]·2H₂O}_n, has been successfully synthesized by employment of tris[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]amine (TTPA), a 1,2,4-triazole derivative with the presence of the flexible glutaric acid (H₂GA) ligand with Zn(II) nitrate salts. Luminescent detection experiments show that the complex could be applied as a sensor for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol via the luminescence quenching. To develop new candidates for the sepsis treatment in clinic and evaluate the influence of the compound on the immune cells, the western blotting was conducted to detect the activation of the anti-bacterial response in the macrophages after compound treatment under infection. The relative expression levels of the miR-16 in the immune cells was measured for revealing the detail mechanism of the compound. Graphic abstract: