Enhancing fluorescence in vivo imaging using inorganic nanoprobes

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging is a versatile tool for biological and preclinical studies with steady improvements in performance thanks to instrumentation and probe developments. The sensitive detection and imaging of deep targets in vivo is especially challenging due to the diffusion and absorption of light by the tissues and to the emission of autofluorescence from intrinsic chromophores. Fluorescent inorganic nanoparticles present interesting optical properties that may significantly differ from organic dyes. In this short review, we present recent developments in the design of these nanoprobes and their use for new in vivo fluorescence modalities which provide enhanced imaging capabilities.

Near‐infrared fluorescent peptide probes for imaging of tumor in vivo and their biotoxicity evaluation

“…NIR light can propagate by multiple scattering through several centimeters of tissue because of the low absorbance of tissue chromophores such as oxy‐ and deoxy‐hemoglobin, melanin, and fat, enabling imaging of tissues from tissue boundary measurements using non‐ionizing radiation . Chromospheres and luminescent nanoparticles are two major classes of fluorescent probes that are currently used in biomedical applications such as tumor imaging . Though nanoparticles have many advantages features for biological applications, clearance from the body is still remains as major concerns for them to translate for clinical trials because majority of them are made from heavy metals.…”

“…24 Chromospheres and luminescent nanoparticles are two major classes of fluorescent probes that are currently used in biomedical applications such as tumor imaging. 25,26 Though nanoparticles have many advantages features for biological applications, clearance from the body is still remains as major concerns for them to translate for clinical trials because majority of them are made from heavy metals. Further studies are needed to overcome these for clinical usage for hepatic function examination and fluorescent angiography.…”

Small animal imaging platform for quantitative assessment of short-wave infrared-emitting contrast agents

“…New SWIR contrast agents are emerging with appealing optical properties for deep tissue molecular imaging [12][13][14] .…”

“…Extending this principle, materials emitting even further into the infrared, in the so-called short-wave infrared (SWIR) or NIR II region (1100-1600 nm), such as quantum dots 9,10 , carbon nanotubes 11 , and rare-earth ions 12,13 have recently gained attention due to their ability to provide signal from even deeper within scattering tissues. Some of these materials have been rendered biocompatible and also functionalized to target molecular markers of disease 14 .…”

Self‐Assembled pH‐Sensitive Fluoromagnetic Nanotubes as Archetype System for Multimodal Imaging of Brain Cancer

“…A very dynamic research area focuses on the design and synthesis of nanomaterials that simultaneously contain more than one functional component, the so‐called multifunctional , which are expected to have a significant impact on a wide range of applications . Especially for in vivo uses, the availability of multimodal sensing or multifunctional drug delivery/imaging materials can allow the combination of different diagnostic and/or therapeutic techniques in a single platform, thus leading to a potential reduction in side effects, risks, and costs, while increasing the benefits obtained from the synergy of different methods . Recently, fluoromagnetic particles have been recognized as emerging class with a huge potential .…”