A high quantum yield molecule-protein complex fluorophore for near-infrared II imaging

Nat Commun. 2017 May 19:8:15269. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15269.

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) allows visualization of deep anatomical features with an unprecedented degree of clarity. NIR-II fluorophores draw from a broad spectrum of materials spanning semiconducting nanomaterials to organic molecular dyes, yet unfortunately all water-soluble organic molecules with >1,000 nm emission suffer from low quantum yields that have limited temporal resolution and penetration depth. Here, we report tailoring the supramolecular assemblies of protein complexes with a sulfonated NIR-II organic dye (CH-4T) to produce a brilliant 110-fold increase in fluorescence, resulting in the highest quantum yield molecular fluorophore thus far. The bright molecular complex allowed for the fastest video-rate imaging in the second NIR window with ∼50-fold reduced exposure times at a fast 50 frames-per-second (FPS) capable of resolving mouse cardiac cycles. In addition, we demonstrate that the NIR-II molecular complexes are superior to clinically approved ICG for lymph node imaging deep within the mouse body.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Ionophores / chemistry*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Optical Imaging*
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Quantum Theory
  • Semiconductors
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared*
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Ionophores
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Organic Chemicals