Bright and Stable NIR‐II J‐Aggregated AIE Dibodipy‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Dynamic In Vivo Bioimaging

Abstract

Organic dyes emitting in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 900–1700 nm) window, with high molar extinction coefficients (MEC) and quantum yields (QY) in aqueous, are essential for in vivo bioimaging and biosensing. In this work, we developed a dibodipy‐based aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorescent probe, THPP, to meet this aim. THPP exhibits a high MEC and has intensified absorption and emission in J‐aggregated state, which significantly enhance the fluorescence intensity (≈55 folds) and extend the maximal absorption/emission wavelengths to 970/1010 nm in NIR‐II region. Based on the bright THPP, imaging with a high frame rate (34 frames per second) at a deep “valid penetration depth” up to 6 mm can be achieved. This enabled simultaneous and dynamic imaging of vasculatures and deep tissues. Besides, we succeeded in monitoring the respiratory rate of acute‐lung‐injury mice and tracing the collateral circulation process with a high frame rate.

Progress and Perspective of Solid-State Organic Fluorophores for Biomedical Applications

“…77 Recently, Zhang et al fabricated a novel J-aggregated diBODIPY-based NIR-II probe 12 (tetra(hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP)) with a bathochromic shifted wavelength and enhanced solid-state emission for the imaging of deep visceral and body vessels (Figure 4A). 78 Owing to the large emission wavelength and high brightness of the THPP micelles, the deeply located organs could be clearly observed, providing a noninvasive optical tool to examine pulmonary circulation in vivo (Figure 4A). 78 Thus, NIR-II SSOFs enable the in vivo imaging of deep tissues and blood vessels owing to their high photostability and deep tissue penetration depth.…”

“…78 Owing to the large emission wavelength and high brightness of the THPP micelles, the deeply located organs could be clearly observed, providing a noninvasive optical tool to examine pulmonary circulation in vivo (Figure 4A). 78 Thus, NIR-II SSOFs enable the in vivo imaging of deep tissues and blood vessels owing to their high photostability and deep tissue penetration depth.…”

Synthesis of a Single‐Stranded DNA Aptamer Modified Near‐infrared, Water‐Soluble Fluorophore for Lung Cancer Cell Imaging

“…Increasing number of studies has been devoted to the development of water‐soluble near‐infrared fluorescent probes, due to the advantages of deep penetrating ability and the potential in living cell and in vivo imaging [1–3] . Aza‐boron dipyrromethene (aza‐BODIPY) derivatives have been proved to be promising dyes in molecular imaging, thermodynamic therapy, etc [4–8] …”

Recent trends in molecular aggregates: An exploration of biomedicine

“…(Reprinted with permission. [ 30 ] Copyright 2020, Wiley‐VCH) (B) Absorption spectra and observed color change of the compound 10 were depicted. (Reprinted with permission.…”

“…Very recently, Zhang et al discovered a new diBODIPYbased AIE fluorescent probe (9) that displayed an impressively high molar extinction coefficient and strong absorption and emission in the J-aggregated state (970/1010 nm) in the NIR-II region (Figure 3A). [30] Using high brightness, imaging with a high frame rate (34 frames per second) at a deep "valid penetration depth" of up to 6 mm can be attained. Owing to its rigid planar structure, the dye exhibited much greater photostability and chemical stability than the well-known FDA-approved NIR bioimaging ICG/protein combinations.…”