Novel small-molecule fluorophores for in vivo NIR-IIa and NIR-IIb imaging

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Mar 17;56(22):3289-3292. doi: 10.1039/c9cc09865h.

Abstract

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging in the 1000-1700 nm-wavelength window (NIR-II) has exhibited great potential for deep-tissue bioimaging due to its diminished auto-fluorescence, suppressed photo-scattering, deep penetration, and high spatial and temporal resolutions. Various kinds of inorganic nanomaterials have been extensively developed for NIR-IIa (1300-1400 nm) and NIR-IIb (1500-1700 nm) bioimaging. However, the development of small-molecule NIR-IIa and NIR-IIb fluorophores is still in its infancy. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel NIR-II organic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophore (HQL2) with a fluorescence tail extending into the NIR-IIa and NIR-IIb region based on our previous reported skeleton Q4. The encapsulated NIR-II AIE nanoparticles (HQL2 dots) exhibited water solubility and biocompatibility, and high brightness for NIR-IIa and NIR-IIb vascular imaging in vivo, a first for NIR-II AIE dots.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Blood Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Optical Imaging
  • Quantum Theory
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / methods*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Fluorescent Dyes