Effect of Core Diameter, Surface Coating, and PEG Chain Length on the Biodistribution of Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles in Mice

Abstract

A growing insight toward optical sensors has led to several major improvements in the development of convenient probes for in vivo imaging. Efficient optical detection using quantum dots (QDs) as well as near-infrared organic dyes relies on several key driving principles: the ability to lower background absorption or autofluorescence from tissue, a good photostability of the probe, and a high quantum yield. In this article, we report the real-time biodistribution monitoring of lanthanide-doped persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNP), emitting in the near-infrared window, in healthy and tumor-bearing mice. We focused on the influence of hydrodynamic diameter, ranging from 80 to 180 nm, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface coating on the behavior of our probes. Tissue distribution was found to be highly dependent on surface coverage as well as core diameter. The amount of PLNP in the blood was highly increased for small (d < 80 nm) and stealth particles. On the opposite, PEG shield molecular weight, ranging from 5 to 20 kDa, had only negligible influence on the in vivo biodistribution of our silicate-based material.

In Vivo Repeatedly Charging Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Mesoporous SiO2/ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ Persistent Luminescence Nanocomposites

“…[1–3] The temporal separation of excitation and afterglow properties of these persistent phosphors makes them ideal as in vivo optical imaging contrast reagents. [4–6] Until now, persistent luminescence has relied on short-wavelength excitation (e.g., ultraviolet light) which has rather limited tissue-penetration depth. [7–10] To address this problem, a NIR-light-stimulated PL mechanism was proposed in LiGa 5 O 8 :Cr 3+ , to release energy trapped in deeper energy levels of the phosphor, but in this case, the energy must be precharged by UV-light and the photostimulated emission continues to weaken after each cycle of photostimulation and will finally become extinguished.…”

Temperature and wavelength dependent trap filling in M2Si5N8:Eu (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) persistent phosphors

“…Persistent phosphors emitting in the red or orange region of the visible spectrum are strongly desired in emergency signage, for displaying warning or stop signs, and in medical imaging, where the phosphors' emission should be situated in the optical window of biological tissue [2,3]. Unfortunately, the large majority of known persistent luminescent materials are green (e.g.…”

Facile synthesis of β-lactoglobulin capped Ag2S quantum dots for in vivo imaging in the second near-infrared biological window

“…S4A, ESI) shows the QDs are spherical with a mean height of 4.9 ± 0.52 nm from the corresponding height profile analysis (Fig.S4B, ESI †). The slightly different sizes measured by HAADF-STEM and AFM are LG Hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) is a key parameter for fluorescent probes used for in vivo imaging 30,32 . Large probes (Dh >10 nm) typically accumulate in the liver while the small ones (Dh < 5 nm) undergo rapid renal excretion 30 LG A 2S QD hybrid structure.…”

“…Such a step can sometimes adversely affect the optical properties of QDs and compromise the in vivo application efficiency. [29][30][31][32] On this point, the development of aqueous syntheses for biocompatible, water-soluble and NIR-IIemitting Ag2S QDs is valuable.…”