Rabies Virus Targeting NIR-II Phototheranostics

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rabies is a fatal viral disease with no effective treatments.
• Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for rabies are limited.
• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a significant challenge for treating central nervous system infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanotheranostic probe for rabies diagnosis and therapy.
• To create a probe capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
• To enable precise targeting of the rabies virus (RABV) and facilitate photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel NIR-II organic polyacetylene fluorophore (DK).
• Self-assembly of DK with a biocompatible, BBB-permeable nanoparticle carrier (N3-PEG2000-R).
• Modification of the probe surface with an aptamer targeting RABV glycoprotein (RVG) to create DK@RA-PEG.

Main Results:

• The nanotheranostic probe (DK@RA-PEG) effectively crossed the BBB in mice.
• Real-time NIR-II fluorescence imaging visualized probe localization at the infection site.
• The probe demonstrated safe and effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) by converting light to chemical energy without thermal effects.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanotheranostic probe integrates targeting, imaging, and therapy for rabies.
• DK@RA-PEG shows promise for clinical applications in rabies treatment.
• This theranostic approach offers a potential solution for overcoming the limitations of current rabies interventions.