A Small-Molecule NIR-II Probe for the Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Diseases

Numerous hemorrhagic disorders, particularly those presenting deep hemorrhage, pose diagnostic challenges, often leading to delayed treatment and severe outcomes. Near-infrared (NIR)-II fluorescence imaging offers advantages such as deep tissue penetration, real-time visualization, and a high signal-to-background ratio, making it highly suitable for diagnosing hemorrhagic diseases. In this study, an NIR-II fluorescent probe LJ-2P carrying carboxylic and phosphoric acid groups is successfully applied for imaging hemorrhagic diseases. LJ-2P demonstrates a strong affinity for fibrinogen and fibrin clots both computationally and experimentally, thus exhibiting increased brightness upon coagulation. As compared to Indocyanine Green, LJ-2P provides a longer imaging window, higher imaging specificity, and signal-to-background ratio, as well as superior photobleaching resistance in three disease models: gastric, pulmonary, and cerebral hemorrhages. These results reveal that LJ-2P demonstrates enhanced imaging capabilities, enabling precise identification of hemorrhagic sites.