Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Sequentially Targeted AIE Fluorescent Probe for Precisely Identifying the...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Atherosclerosis, a primary cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), necessitates accurate plaque identification for effective clinical intervention.
• Current diagnostic methods require improvement for precise and early detection of atherosclerotic plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive, sequentially targeted fluorescent probe for specific atherosclerotic plaque recognition.
• To evaluate the probe's efficacy in targeting foam cells and imaging lipid droplets within plaques.

Main Methods:

• A novel probe (TPAMCF) was synthesized, combining an aggregation-induced emission fluorophore with a ROS-cleavable linker and a peptide targeting phosphatidylserine on foam cells.
• The probe was assembled into nanoparticles for aqueous stability and targeted delivery to atherosclerotic plaques.
• In vitro and ex vivo studies were conducted to assess ROS responsiveness, foam cell binding, and fluorescence imaging capabilities.

Main Results:

• TPAMCF nanoparticles demonstrated efficient accumulation in plaques via specific binding to foam cells.
• The probe exhibited favorable ROS responsiveness, releasing its fluorophore upon activation.
• High-contrast and precise fluorescence imaging of atherosclerosis was achieved in ex vivo specimens.

Conclusions:

• The developed TPAMCF probe shows excellent performance in ROS response and specific targeting of foam cells.
• TPAMCF nanoparticles enable high-contrast, precise ex vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaques.
• This fluorescent probe represents a promising candidate for future clinical applications in atherosclerotic plaque detection.