A neutrophil-binding peptide, cinnamoyl-F(D)LF(D)LF (cFLFLF), was labeled with the near infrared (NIR) fluorophore, Cyanine 7 (Cy7). This construct was modified with a polyethylene glycol (PEG, M(W) 3.4 kDa) moiety in order to increase its solubility and bioavailability to circulating neutrophils. A preliminary noninvasive fluorescence imaging of a mouse model of ear inflammation with the fluorescent probe is presented.
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