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Updated: May 19, 2026

Non-invasive In Vivo Fluorescence Optical Imaging of Inflammatory MMP Activity Using an Activatable Fluorescent Imaging Agent
Published on: May 8, 2017
Activatable fluorescent probes: a new concept in optical molecular imaging
E Lacivita1, M Leopoldo, F Berardi
1Universita degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Bari, Italy. lacivita@farmchim.uniba.it
Abstract:
Activatable fluorescent probes share the unique feature of being turned on only under specific conditions: they are "silent" when not interacting with a specific target protein, microenvironment, or reactive species. Several activatable fluorescence probes have demonstrated their potential in cell biology study, disease study and diagnosis, and even in the rapidly expanding field of image-guided surgery. In this review, we will summarize progress in the design of activatable probes and their application in studying cell biology or in optical imaging. Some of the most effective examples of activatable fluorescent probes will be presented and their application will be discussed.
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