Grafted dinuclear metal complexes, and use thereof as cellular microparticle sensors

1. A method for detection and/or characterisation of cellular microparticles, comprising:

placing in contact of a compound having formula (I) or (II)

wherein

M +i is a metal ion, and i is 1, 2 or 3

L is an exchangeable ligand

X is a —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A group, or a —CH 2 —NHC(O)—R—NH-A group wherein R is a C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, either substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, and A is H or a fluorophore group

m=1 to 12

n=1, 2 or 3

Y is (CH 2 ) p —NH 2 wherein p=0 to 12,

when p=0, the pyridine group is not substituted by Y, with a sample of biological fluid that is likely to contain cellular microparticles, and detection and/or characterisation of the microparticles captured by the said compound having formula (I) or (II).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni and Fe.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

M is Zn or Cu

X is —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A, where m=1, A is H, n=1 and p=0; or

X is —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A, where m=1, A is H, n=2 and p=0; or

X is —CH 2 —NHC(O)—R—NH-A, A is H, n=1 and p=0.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein X is —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A, —CH 2 —NHC(O)—R—NH-A wherein R is a C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, either substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, and A is a fluorophore group.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound having formula (I) is, in a first step, immobilised on a solid support.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the following steps:

immobilisation of a compound having formula (I) or (II) on the surface of the solid support,

placing in contact with a sample of biological fluid that is likely to contain cellular microparticles

capture of the cellular microparticles on the said compound having formula (I) or (II), and

detection and/or characterisation of the captured cellular microparticles.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid support is activated prior to immobilisation of the compound having formula (I) or (II).

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the following steps:

activation of a solid support,

immobilisation of a compound having formula (I) or (II) on a surface of the activated support,

placing in contact with a sample of biological fluid that is likely to contain cellular microparticles

capture of the cellular microparticles on the said compound having formula (I) or (II), and

detection and/or characterisation of the captured cellular microparticles.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the following steps:

immobilisation of a compound having formula (III) on a solid support

in which

Z is NH 2 or a —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A group, or a -CH 2 —NHC(O)—R—NH-A group wherein R is a C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, either substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, and A is H or a fluorophore group, provided that when m=2, A is different from H

m=1 to 12

n=1, 2 or 3

Y is (CH 2 ) p -NH 2 where p=0 to 12,

incubation of the support-ligand ensemble in the presence of the metal ion, in a manner such that the dinuclear metal complex having formula (I) or (II) is formed in situ,

the placing in contact of said compound having formula (I) or (II) with a sample of biological fluid that is likely to contain cellular microparticles,

the capture of the cellular microparticles on the said compound having formula (I) or (II), and

the detection and/or characterisation of the captured cellular microparticles.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid support is a microtiter plate, a sheet, a cone, a tube, a well, a bead, a particle or a strip.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound having formula (I) or (II) is in a solution.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein in the compound having formula (I) or (II), X is —(CH 2 ) m —NH-A or CH 2 —NHC(O)—R—NH-A, wherein R is C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, either substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, and A is a fluorophore.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the captured microparticles are revealed by using specific labelled antibodies that may be detected by means of photometric analysis or using fluorescence measurement.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the antibodies are labelled with an enzyme and then detected by means of chromogenic analysis using a suitable substrate.