High-Fidelity NIR-II Multiplexed Lifetime Bioimaging with Bright Double Interfaced Lanthanide Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) enables in vivo multiplexing in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window.
• A key challenge is the varying fluorescence intensity of probes with differentiable lifetimes, hindering simultaneous multiplexed lifetime decoding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop advanced fluorescent nanoprobes for high-fidelity lifetime multiplexed bioimaging.
• To overcome the intensity-lifetime trade-off in current NIR-II FLI probes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Er³⁺ doped double interface fluorescent nanoprobes (Er-DINPs) with a specific core-shell structure: α-NaYF₄ @NaErF₄ : Ce@NaYbF₄ @NaErF₄ : Ce@NaYF₄.
• Characterization of probe properties, including fluorescence intensity and lifetime.
• In vitro and in vivo experimental validation of multiplexed imaging capabilities.

Main Results:

• The developed Er-DINPs exhibit strong fluorescence intensity and easily distinguishable fluorescence lifetimes.
• Experimental results demonstrated comparable fluorescence intensity across probes.
• Successful high-fidelity multiplexed lifetime bioimaging was achieved both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Er-DINPs represent a significant advancement for high-fidelity lifetime multiplexed bioimaging in the NIR-II window.
• These probes effectively address the challenge of intensity variations in multiplexed FLI.
• The developed nanoprobes show great promise for future biomedical applications requiring simultaneous detection of multiple signals.