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| Open Access
A light-activatable theranostic combination for ratiometric hypoxia imaging and oxygen-deprived drug activity enhancement
Monitoring the level of hypoxia in a tumour is of use when treating by chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy, but can be challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a theranostic combination for light activated hypoxia imaging and modulation, and prodrug activation.
- Lei Ge
- , Yikai Tang
- & Xiqun Jiang
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Article
| Open Access
Preventing cation intermixing enables 50% quantum yield in sub-15 nm short-wave infrared-emitting rare-earth based core-shell nanocrystals
Controlling cation intermixing in rare-earth based core-shell nanomaterials is a key strategy to improve the emission properties. Here the authors address this challenge by controlling the growth of heterogeneous structures, obtaining 50% short-wavelength infrared quantum yield in sub-15 nm Ce-doped α-NaYF4:Yb:Er@CaF2 nanocrystals.
- Fernando Arteaga Cardona
- , Noopur Jain
- & Damien Hudry
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| Open Access
Controlled sequential in situ self-assembly and disassembly of a fluorogenic cisplatin prodrug for cancer theranostics
Manipulating molecular self-assembly and disassembly in vivo may permit temporal control of drug delivery and release. Here, the authors report a fluorogenic cisplatin prodrug for cancer theranostics by leveraging stimuli-triggered in situ self-assembly and intracellular disassembly processes.
- Xidan Wen
- , Rui Zhang
- & Deju Ye
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| Open Access
Near-infrared-IIb emitting single-atom catalyst for imaging-guided therapy of blood-brain barrier breakdown after traumatic brain injury
Monitoring the status of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage are key issues in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, the authors design a near-infrared-IIb emitting Mn single-atom catalyst for imaging-guided therapy to alleviate ROS mediated neuroinflammation in the brain and simultaneously obtain timely feedback of therapeutic effect, promoting the reconstruction of BBB and recovery of neurological function after TBI in mice.
- Biao Huang
- , Tao Tang
- & Ran Cui
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| Open Access
A pH-responsive T1-T2 dual-modal MRI contrast agent for cancer imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established non-invasive medical imaging technology. Here, to improve the performance of the technique, the authors describe the design of a pH-responsive T1-T2 dual-modal MRI contrast agent, showing enhanced imaging sensitivity in preclinical cancer models.
- Hongwei Lu
- , An Chen
- & Leilei Tian
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| Open Access
Highly hydrated paramagnetic amorphous calcium carbonate nanoclusters as an MRI contrast agent
Sensitive, biocompatible and stable contrast agents for MRI are in demand. Here, the authors combine gadolinium ions with amorphous calcium carbonate to make stable paramagnetic amorphous carbonate nanoclusters with high MRI contrast and significantly improved biocompatibility over commercial gadolinium-based agents.
- Liang Dong
- , Yun-Jun Xu
- & Shu-Hong Yu
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| Open Access
Biomimetic material degradation for synergistic enhanced therapy by regulating endogenous energy metabolism imaging under hypothermia
Metal organic frameworks (MOF) coated with mammalian cell membranes have good biocompatibility. Here, the authors develop a cobalt based hydrogen sulphide producing MOF cloaked with a macrophage membrane and show that the subsequent system can reduce tumour growth in mice.
- Kai Cheng
- , Bo Liu
- & Yuan-Di Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
Fibronectin binding protein B binds to loricrin and promotes corneocyte adhesion by Staphylococcus aureus
The first step during skin colonization by is its adhesion to corneocytes. Da Costa et al. show that the cell wall-anchored fibronectin binding protein B (FnBPB) of S. aureus binds to loricrin. Applying single cell force spectroscopy, they demonstrate that this interaction promotes adhesion of S. aureus to human corneocytes.
- Thaina M. da Costa
- , Albertus Viljoen
- & Joan A. Geoghegan
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| Open Access
Theranostic near-infrared-IIb emitting nanoprobes for promoting immunogenic radiotherapy and abscopal effects against cancer metastasis
Hypoxia and immunosuppression contribute to tumor resistance to radiotherapy (RT). Here the authors design a nanoprobe based on NIR-IIb emitting quantum dots for image-guided RT and modified with catalase to relieve hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the precision and efficacy of RT and promoting anti-tumor immune responses.
- Hao Li
- , Meng Wang
- & Zhi-Jun Sun
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Article
| Open Access
High-spatial and colourimetric imaging of histone modifications in single senescent cells using plasmonic nanoprobes
The authors demonstrate a colourimetric imaging method using plasmonic nanoparticles for visualisation of heterochromatin histone markers. Based on the distance-dependent coupling effect, resulting in spectral shifts, they observe reorganisation of histone markers caused by oncogene-induced senescence.
- Hyun Ji An
- , Yun Kim
- & Inhee Choi
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Article
| Open Access
Artificially engineered antiferromagnetic nanoprobes for ultra-sensitive histopathological level magnetic resonance imaging
Ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has potential for imaging disease including cancer metastasis. Here, the authors develop an ultra-sensitive antiferromagnetic nanoparticle probe with a small magnetisation for use in UHF MRI and demonstrate the ability to detect small primary tumours and micrometastases in mice.
- Zeyu Liang
- , Qiyue Wang
- & Daishun Ling
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Article
| Open Access
Quantitative imaging of intracellular nanoparticle exposure enables prediction of nanotherapeutic efficacy
Quantification of intratumoral nanoparticles internalisation in vivo is crucial but challenging. Here, the authors develop a binary ratiometric nanoreporter that can quantify internalisation and predict nanotherapeutic responses based on intracellular nanoparticle exposure.
- Qingqing Yin
- , Anni Pan
- & Yiguang Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Remote near infrared identification of pathogens with multiplexed nanosensors
Fast and specific detection of pathogenic bacteria is needed to combat infections. Here the authors generate an array of near-infrared biosensors based on carbon nanotubes to detect released metabolites and virulence factors and use them to distinguish pathogens such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
- Robert Nißler
- , Oliver Bader
- & Sebastian Kruss
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| Open Access
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with sub-micron sized contrast agents detects insulitis in mouse models of type1 diabetes
Infiltration of immune cells to the pancreatic islets precedes clinical symptoms of type 1 diabetes, and lack of methods to detect this insulitis impedes early interventions. Here the authors report a contrast enhanced ultrasound method that can detect early insulitis in mouse models of type 1 diabetes, based on increased microvascular permeability.
- David G. Ramirez
- , Eric Abenojar
- & Richard K. P. Benninger
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| Open Access
Near-infrared light and tumor microenvironment dual responsive size-switchable nanocapsules for multimodal tumor theranostics
Nanoparticles that can change shape have attracted attention for improved circulation and tumor penetration. Here, the authors report on a size changeable nanoparticle that responds to near-infrared light and can be used for photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and drug delivery applications.
- Zhiyi Wang
- , Yanmin Ju
- & Yanglong Hou
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Article
| Open Access
Albumin tailoring fluorescence and photothermal conversion effect of near-infrared-II fluorophore with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
There is a balance between the fluorescence and photothermal properties of fluorescent molecules. Here, the authors report on an NIR-II fluorophore which binds with human serum albumin changing the equilibrium, increasing the photothermal efficiency, and demonstrate application of this for tumour ablation.
- Shuai Gao
- , Guoguang Wei
- & Wei Lu
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Article
| Open Access
Multispectral optoacoustic imaging of dynamic redox correlation and pathophysiological progression utilizing upconversion nanoprobes
Reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species are involved in key physiological processes and their balance is altered in various human diseases. Here the authors develop near-infrared upconversion nanoprobes to screen ROS/RNS dynamics simultaneously by multispectral optoacoustic imaging in vivo.
- Xiangzhao Ai
- , Zhimin Wang
- & Bengang Xing
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Article
| Open Access
Establishing the effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticle properties on in vivo disposition using imaging-based pharmacokinetics
Nanoparticle applications are limited by insufficient understanding of physiochemical properties on in vivo disposition. Here, the authors explore the influence of size, surface chemistry and administration on the biodisposition of mesoporous silica nanoparticles using image-based pharmacokinetics.
- Prashant Dogra
- , Natalie L. Adolphi
- & C. Jeffrey Brinker
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| Open Access
Directed self-assembly of fluorescence responsive nanoparticles and their use for real-time surface and cellular imaging
Polymer nanoparticles that have an in-built capacity to elicit an output during drug delivery are highly desirable. Here the authors describe the self-assembly of an amphiphilic tri-block co-polymer that shows particle fluorescence in response to temperature, surface adsorption and cellular uptake.
- Shane Cheung
- & Donal F. O’Shea
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Article
| Open Access
Bio-degradable highly fluorescent conjugated polymer nanoparticles for bio-medical imaging applications
Conjugated polymer nanoparticles have been applied for biological fluorescence imaging in cell culture and in small animals, but cannot readily be excreted through the renal system. Here the authors show fully conjugated polymer nanoparticles based on imidazole units that can be bio-degraded by activated macrophages.
- Tatjana Repenko
- , Anne Rix
- & Alexander J. C. Kuehne
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| Open Access
In situ targeted MRI detection of Helicobacter pylori with stable magnetic graphitic nanocapsules
The effective detection ofHelicobacter pylori has been a challenge clinically. Here, the authors demonstrate the potential of magnetic nanoparticles for non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori using magnetic resonance imaging in vivo.
- Yunjie Li
- , Xiaoxiao Hu
- & Weihong Tan
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Article
| Open Access
Light-driven liquid metal nanotransformers for biomedical theranostics
Liquid metals are excellent candidate materials for biomedicine, owing to their intriguing optical properties and chemical stability. Here, the authors design multifunctional theranostic liquid metal nanocapsules that, upon irradiation, generate heat and reactive oxygen species and change shape to release drugs.
- Svetlana A. Chechetka
- , Yue Yu
- & Eijiro Miyako
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| Open Access
Artificial local magnetic field inhomogeneity enhances T2 relaxivity
The signal detected in magnetic resonance imaging comes from the relaxation of proton nuclear magnetization. Here, Zhouet al. introduce magnetic field inhomogeneity as a parameter to design iron oxide nanoparticle clusters to enhance the relaxation rate of nearby protons, thereby increasing image contrast.
- Zijian Zhou
- , Rui Tian
- & Xiaoyuan Chen
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In vivo time-gated fluorescence imaging with biodegradable luminescent porous silicon nanoparticles
Tissue autofluorescence can lead to considerable noise in fluorescence imaging of biological tissues. Here Gu et al.demonstrate that the use of photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles with long emission lifetimes enable a late time-gated imaging technique where autofluorescence effects are avoided.
- Luo Gu
- , David J. Hall
- & Michael J. Sailor
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Octapod iron oxide nanoparticles as high-performance T2 contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging
Spherical superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are potentially attractive MRI contrast agents, but their low transverse relaxivity has hindered their application. Here, the authors report size and shape control of octapod iron oxide nanoparticles with extremely high transverse relaxivity.
- Zhenghuan Zhao
- , Zijian Zhou
- & Jinhao Gao
Lanthanide luminescence nanothermometer with working wavelength beyond 1500 nm for cerebrovascular temperature imaging in vivo