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Cyanine Phototruncation Enables Spatiotemporal Cell Labeling
Hiroshi Fukushima1, Siddharth S Matikonda2, Syed Muhammad Usama2
1Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 13, 2022
Summary
We developed phototruncation-assisted cell tracking (PACT) to monitor immune cell migration. This novel method uses near-infrared wavelengths for precise, non-genetic cell tracking in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Immunology
Background:
- Photoconvertible probes are crucial for tracking dynamic cell migration.
- Existing methods often require genetic engineering or lack spatiotemporal control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, non-genetic photoconvertible cell tracking method.
- To evaluate immune cell migration into tumor-draining lymphatics using this new technique.
Main Methods:
- Developed phototruncation-assisted cell tracking (PACT) utilizing a cyanine photoconversion reaction.
- Optimized cyanine probes by examining substituent effects for improved phototruncation yield.
- Applied PACT for in vitro and in vivo tracking of immune cell migration using near-infrared wavelengths.
Main Results:
- A single methoxy group on the heptamethine cyanine chromophore increased phototruncation yield by nearly 8-fold.
- PACT enabled quantitative, time-dependent measurements of immune cell migration from tumors to lymph nodes.
- The method demonstrated spatiotemporal control without requiring genetic modification.
Conclusions:
- PACT offers a straightforward, non-genetic approach for cell population labeling and tracking.
- This technique facilitates the study of immune cell dynamics in complex biological systems.
- PACT provides enhanced control and efficiency for in vivo cell migration studies.
