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In Vivo NIR-II Ratiometric Imaging of Peroxynitrite for Tracking Redox Dynamics in Tumor Immunochemotherapy
Qikang Hu1,2, Ahmad Eldoksh2,3,4, Pengfan Lu2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology (MMST), Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, China.
Small Methods
|December 22, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel nanoprobe for real-time monitoring of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) in vivo. This imaging tool aids in understanding redox imbalance in diseases like cancer and inflammation, and evaluating treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a critical mediator of redox imbalance in inflammatory and cancerous conditions.
- In vivo monitoring of dynamic peroxynitrite behavior remains a significant challenge in biomedical research.
- Accurate assessment of oxidative and nitrosative stress is crucial for understanding disease pathology and therapeutic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanoprobe for highly selective and quantitative in vivo imaging of peroxynitrite (ONOO-).
- To establish a versatile platform for real-time monitoring of redox dynamics and oxygenation status in disease models.
- To provide mechanistic insights into peroxynitrite-mediated pathology and guide therapeutic interventions in cancer and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a biocompatible BD@PEG nanoprobe enabling dual-excitation near-infrared-II (NIR-II) ratiometric imaging.
- Application of the nanoprobe in drug-induced liver injury and CT26 tumor models for in vivo peroxynitrite monitoring.
- Integration with NIR-IIb oxyhemoglobin saturation analysis for concurrent assessment of nitrosative stress and vascular oxygenation.
Main Results:
- The BD@PEG nanoprobe demonstrated superior biocompatibility, quantitative fidelity, and peroxynitrite selectivity.
- Real-time monitoring in a liver injury model correlated hepatic peroxynitrite dynamics with histopathological changes.
- In a tumor model, the imaging strategy revealed distinct peroxynitrite modulation under different therapeutic interventions, with combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy showing synergistic effects.
Conclusions:
- The developed BD@PEG nanoprobe and NIR-II ratiometric imaging platform enable versatile in vivo dynamic redox monitoring and oxygenation assessment.
- This approach provides valuable mechanistic insights into peroxynitrite-mediated pathology in inflammation and cancer.
- The study offers a translational tool for optimizing therapeutic strategies by visualizing their impact on redox balance and tumor microenvironment.
