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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Fluorescence-quenching of a Liposomal-encapsulated Near-infrared Fluorophore as a Tool for In Vivo Optical Imaging
Published on: January 5, 2015
A chitosan-based near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe created by molecular assembly with applications in
Yunling Chen1, Xia Xue2, Luo Bao3
1State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Key Laboratory of Pulp & Paper Science and Technology of Shandong Province, Ministry of Education, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China.
Abstract:
Hypochlorous acid (HClO/ClO-) is a key reactive oxidative species (ROS) in the body. The HClO/ClO- concentrations are imbalanced during cancer formation due to the ROS stress response. This paper introduces a novel chitosan-based self-calibration fluorescent nanoprobe (ChCyNil) constructed by molecular assembly for the ratiometric detection of HClO/ClO-. Two chromophores with different fluorescence characteristics and HClO/ClO- sensitivity were labeled on chitosan, and nanoparticles were prepared by a self-assembly strategy for HClO/ClO- detection. ChCyNil exhibits several advantages, such as dual near-infrared emissions at 670 nm and 845 nm, tunable fluorescence intensity, self-calibration fluorescence, and good biocompatibility, improving its accuracy in HClO/ClO- detection. Our study confirmed that ChCyNil exhibits a well-assembled spheroidal nanostructure and good photophysical properties in solution. The fluorescence imaging properties were further proved by detecting endogenous HClO/ClO- produced by LPS/PMA stimuli in cells and zebrafish. In addition, ChCyNil was used to detect the fluorescence behavior of HClO/ClO- in tumors of live mice. The successful design and fabrication of ChCyNil have presented a new strategy for constructing detection tools with improved fluorescence properties for HClO/ClO- in live animals.

