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A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
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Recent progress of second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence microscopy in bioimaging

Tian Wang1, Yingying Chen1, Bo Wang1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Frontiers in Physiology
|March 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence microscopy enables high-resolution in vivo imaging for studying biological processes. This review highlights recent advances and future potential of NIR-II microscopy in bioimaging.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Optical Imaging
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • In vivo imaging is essential for understanding molecular signaling and cell behaviors.
  • Advancements in microscopy and near-infrared fluorophores are driving progress in in vivo bioimaging.
  • Near-infrared-II (NIR-II) microscopy offers enhanced capabilities for biological visualization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characteristics of in vivo imaging using NIR-II fluorescence microscopy.
  • To cover recent advances in NIR-II fluorescence microscopy techniques for bioimaging.
  • To discuss the potential of NIR-II microscopy in overcoming current imaging challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Introduction to various NIR-II microscopy techniques, including confocal, multiphoton, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), and wide-field microscopy.
  • Discussion of the underlying chemical material and optoelectronic developments enabling these techniques.
  • Analysis of the unique properties of NIR-II fluorescence for deep-tissue penetration and reduced autofluorescence.

Main Results:

  • NIR-II fluorescence microscopy provides quantitative and dynamic visualization at cellular and subcellular resolutions.
  • Emerging NIR-II microscopy techniques offer improved signal-to-noise ratios and reduced photodamage.
  • These techniques facilitate deeper tissue penetration compared to traditional fluorescence imaging.

Conclusions:

  • NIR-II fluorescence microscopy represents a significant advancement for in vivo bioimaging.
  • Continued development in materials and instrumentation promises to further enhance its applications.
  • NIR-II microscopy holds great potential for future research in biology and immunology.

Keywords:
confocal microscopyfluorescent probein vivo bioimaginglight-sheet fluorescence microscopysecond near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescencewide-field microscopy

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