Self-Assembled BODIPY Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Bioimaging
Jiale Wang1, Zhao Jiang1, Cheng Huang2
1School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 13, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanoparticles for in vivo optical imaging. These boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) based nanoprobes effectively illuminate tumors in mice, offering a promising tool for disease diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Optical Imaging
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging is crucial for disease diagnosis.
- Development of NIR nanoprobes with superior luminescent properties remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) based molecules for NIR fluorescence imaging.
- To create self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) for enhanced optical nanoprobes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized two BODIPY molecules (BDP-A and BDP-B) with tunable NIR emission.
- Formed self-assembled nanoparticles by introducing polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains.
- Evaluated in vitro cellular uptake and fluorescence imaging.
- Performed in vivo imaging in mice to assess tumor targeting and biodistribution.
Main Results:
- BODIPY NPs exhibited NIR emission, large Stokes shifts, and high quantum efficiency.
- NPs demonstrated good water dispersibility and high signal-to-noise ratio.
- In vitro studies showed NPs entering tumor cells and illuminating the cytoplasm.
- In vivo imaging revealed BDP-B NPs enriched in tumors via the enhanced penetrability and retention (EPR) effect.
Conclusions:
- BODIPY-based nanomicelles with NIR fluorescence are effective optical nanoprobes.
- These nanoprobes show potential for in vivo disease diagnosis and imaging.
- The developed nanoprobes are metabolized through the liver and kidney.
