Novel NIR-II fluorescent probes for biliary atresia imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical Diagnostics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluorescence Imaging

Background:

• Biliary atresia is a rare infant liver disease with high mortality and need for liver transplantation.
• Early diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other cholestatic conditions.
• A simple, safe, and reliable diagnostic method is critical for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence probe for early biliary atresia diagnosis.
• To establish a non-invasive method for identifying biliary atresia using fecal samples.
• To provide a tool for understanding biliary atresia pathogenesis and developing therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel NIR-II fluorescence probe (HZL2) with optimized oil/water partition coefficient and permeability.
• Evaluation of probe properties including quantum yield, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and excretion.
• Application of HZL2 in a mouse model of biliary atresia, analyzing fecal samples for diagnosis.

Main Results:

• HZL2 demonstrated high quantum yield, excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and rapid liver/gallbladder excretion.
• HZL2 successfully enabled the identification of biliary atresia in a mouse model via fecal sample analysis.
• This marks the first use of a fecal sample for efficient biliary atresia diagnosis in a model.

Conclusions:

• The developed NIR-II fluorescence probe HZL2 offers a simple, safe, and effective method for early biliary atresia diagnosis.
• This approach shows significant potential for clinical translation.
• HZL2 serves as a valuable research tool for biliary atresia pathogenesis and drug development.