AIEgens Cross‐linked Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synchronously Amplify Bimodal Imaging Signals in Situ by Tumor Acidity‐Mediated Click Reaction

Abstract

Activatable dual‐modal molecular imaging probes present a promising tool for the diagnosis of malignant tumors. However, synchronously enhancing dual‐modal imaging signals under a single stimulus is challenging. Herein, we propose an activatable bimodal probe that integrates aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IOs) to synergistically enhance near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) intensity and magnetic resonance (MR) contrast through a tumor acidity‐mediated click reaction. Tumor acidity‐responsive IOs containing dibenzocyclooctyne groups (termed cDIOs) and AIEgens containing azide groups (termed AATs) can be covalently cross‐linked in response to tumor acidity, which leads to a simultaneous enhancement in NIRF intensity (~12.4‐fold) and r2 relaxivity (~2.8‐fold). cDIOs and AATs were effective activated in mice orthotropic breast tumor, and the cross‐linking prolonged their retention in tumor, further augmenting the bimodal signals and expanding imaging time frame. This facile strategy leverages the inherent properties of probes themselves and demonstrates promise in future translational studies.

Diagnosis and treatment status of inoperable locally advanced breast cancer and the application value of inorganic nanomaterials

“…Nanoparticle’’s image is adapted with permission from Ref. [ 33 – 47 ], copyright 2019 Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2020 International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2022 Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019 Science Advances, 2017 Nanomedicine, 2020 Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020 Talanta, 2021 Analytical And Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2018 Science Advances, 2019 Nano Letters, 2018 Acta Biomaterialia, 2020 Journal of Materials Chemistry B; 2018 Theranostics, 2023 Angewandte Chemie-International Edition …”