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NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging of Skin Avulsion and Necrosis
Yizhou Li1, Xiang Hu1, Wanrong Yi1
1Department of Orthopedics Trauma and Microsurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Skin avulsion is commonly seen in individuals exposed to heavy shearing forces. Subcutaneous tissue detachment and bone fractures usually accompany skin avulsion. Thus, the estimation of the extent of damaged tissue is very important. Currently, the viability of skin and subcutaneous tissue is determined by clinical observations, and these observations always underestimate the true extent of the avulsed skin. Herein, we synthesized an innovative probe, CH1055-GRRRDEVDK (CH1055-GK), which can specifically bind to caspase-3 so as to image skin avulsion and define necrotic regions. Our uptake and binding affinity tests in apoptotic cells and evaluation of the probe ex vivo and in vivo showed that the probe has a strong ability to bind caspase-3 in skin avulsion models and that it vividly detected the necrotic area in avulsed skins. Furthermore, the increased fluorescence intensity of the probe in the avulsed skin showed a larger affected area than that determined by clinical observations in live mice. Consequently, our results indicated that observation of the caspase-3-targeted probe CH1055-GK via NIR-II imaging allowed the clear detection of skin avulsion in subjects, indicating its potential as an imaging tool for the early diagnosis of skin avulsion and the determination of necrotic margins.
Insights
A new probe, CH1055-GK, targets caspase-3 to accurately image skin avulsion and necrotic tissue. This near-infrared II imaging tool improves diagnosis and defines damaged areas better than clinical observation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Molecular Probes
- Dermatology
Background:
- Skin avulsion injuries result from shearing forces, often involving subcutaneous tissue detachment and bone fractures.
- Accurate estimation of damaged tissue extent is crucial for effective treatment.
- Current clinical observations often underestimate the true area of avulsed skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an innovative probe for imaging skin avulsion.
- To specifically target caspase-3 to delineate necrotic regions in avulsed skin.
- To assess the probe's efficacy in vivo and ex vivo for early diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel caspase-3-specific probe, CH1055-GRRRDEVDK (CH1055-GK).
- Evaluation of probe uptake and binding affinity in apoptotic cells.
- In vitro and in vivo assessment using skin avulsion models in mice with NIR-II imaging.
Main Results:
- CH1055-GK demonstrated strong binding affinity to caspase-3 in skin avulsion models.
- The probe vividly detected necrotic areas in avulsed skins ex vivo and in vivo.
- Increased fluorescence intensity indicated a larger affected area than clinical observations in live mice.
Conclusions:
- Caspase-3-targeted NIR-II imaging with CH1055-GK enables clear detection of skin avulsion.
- The probe shows potential as an imaging tool for early diagnosis of skin avulsion.
- It aids in determining necrotic margins more accurately than current methods.
