Specific Lung-Targeting Shortwave Infrared Luminescence Nanoprobe: Precisely Delineating Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical condition requiring better molecular understanding for therapy.
• Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a role in sepsis-associated ALI, but detection and lung targeting are challenging.
• Current methods limit mechanistic insights into H2S involvement in ALI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a lung-targeted nanoprobe for noninvasive monitoring of H2S in ALI.
• To utilize a novel mismatched resonance energy transfer (MRET) strategy for H2S detection.
• To improve understanding of ALI pathogenesis and guide therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• A shortwave infrared (SWIR) nanoprobe (RENPs@PB@LIP) was designed for lung targeting.
• Rare-earth doped nanoparticles (RENPs) and Prussian blue (PB) were used with an MRET strategy for H2S sensing.
• Positively charged liposomes were employed to enhance pulmonary accumulation of the nanoprobe.

Main Results:

• The nanoprobe successfully detected H2S levels in the lungs via PB degradation.
• Liposome encapsulation facilitated preferential lung accumulation, minimizing liver uptake.
• The system allowed for timely, noninvasive monitoring of H2S in a model of ALI.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanoprobe enables noninvasive, real-time H2S monitoring in the lungs during ALI.
• This approach aids in assessing ALI progression and prognosis.
• The study provides a valuable tool for elucidating ALI pathogenesis and informing treatment strategies.