Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
Published on: March 17, 2023
Novel NIR-II fluorescent probes for biliary atresia imaging
Xiaodong Zeng1,2,3, Yuqin Liao1,4,5, Xue Qiao1,6
1State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
Insights
Early diagnosis of biliary atresia is crucial. A new near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence probe, HZL2, enables early detection using fecal samples, aiding in timely treatment for this rare infant liver disease.
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.
Abstract:
Biliary atresia is a rare infant disease that predisposes patients to liver transplantation and death if not treated in time. However, early diagnosis is challenging because the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests of biliary atresia overlap with other cholestatic diseases. Therefore, it is very important to develop a simple, safe and reliable method for the early diagnosis of biliary atresia. Herein, a novel NIR-II fluorescence probe, HZL2, with high quantum yield, excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity and rapid excretion through the liver and gallbladder was developed based on the oil/water partition coefficient and permeability. A simple fecal sample after injection of HZL2 can be used to efficiently identify the success of the mouse model of biliary atresia for the first time, allowing for an early diagnosis of the disease. This study not only developed a simple and safe method for the early diagnosis of biliary atresia with great potential in clinical translation but also provides a research tool for the development of pathogenesis and therapeutic medicines for biliary atresia.
