High resolution, multiplexed experiments are a staple in cellular imaging. Analogous experiments in animals are challenging, however, due to significant scattering and autofluorescence in tissue at visible (VIS, 350–700 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, 700–1000 nm) wavelengths. Here, we enable real-time, non-invasive multicolor imaging experiments in animals through the design of optical contrast agents for the shortwave infrared (SWIR, 1000–2000 nm) region and complementary advances in imaging technologies. We developed tunable, SWIR-emissive flavylium polymethine dyes and established structure-photophysical property relationships for this class of bright SWIR contrast agents. In parallel, we designed an imaging system with variable NIR/SWIR excitation and single-channel detection, facilitating video-rate multicolor SWIR imaging for optically guided surgery and imaging of awake and moving mice with multiplexed detection. Optimized dyes matched to 980 nm and 1064 nm lasers, combined with the clinically approved indocyanine green, enabled real-time, three-color imaging with high temporal and spatial resolutions.
Optical imaging within the shortwave infrared (SWIR, 1000−2000 nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum has enabled high-resolution and high-contrast imaging in mice, non-invasively. Polymethine dyes, with their narrow absorption spectra and high absorption coefficients, are optimal probes for fast and multiplexed SWIR imaging. Here, we expand upon the multiplexing capabilities in SWIR imaging by obtaining brighter polymethine dyes with varied excitation wavelengths spaced throughout the near-infrared (700−1000 nm) region. Building on the flavylium polymethine dye scaffold, we explored derivatives with functional group substitution at the 2-position, deemed chromenylium polymethine dyes. The reported dyes have reduced nonradiative rates and enhanced emissive properties, enabling noninvasive imaging in mice in a single color at 300 fps and in three colors at 100 fps. Combined with polymethine dyes containing a red-shifted julolidine flavylium heterocycle and indocyanine green, distinct channels with well-separated excitation wavelengths provide non-invasive video-rate in vivo imaging in four colors.
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