Rapidly liver-clearable rare-earth core\u2013shell nanoprobe for dual-modal breast cancer imaging in the second near-infrared window

Zhuxin Wei,Dandan Zhou,Chunhong Hu,Ling Wen,Baoxing Huang,Mingyuan Gao,Guangxin Duan,Ximing Wang,Shanshan Qiu,Jiabin Cui,Jianfeng Zeng

doi:10.1186/s12951-021-01112-y

Zhuxin Wei, Dandan Zhou + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-021-01112-y

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Abstract

BackgroundFluorescence imaging as the beacon for optical navigation has wildly developed in preclinical studies due to its prominent advantages, including noninvasiveness and superior temporal resolution. However, the traditional optical methods based on ultraviolet (UV, 200–400 nm) and visible light (Vis, 400–650 nm) limited by their low penetration, signal-to-noise ratio, and high background auto-fluorescence interference. Therefore, the development of near-infrared-II (NIR-II 1000–1700 nm) nanoprobe attracted significant attentions toward in vivo imaging. Regrettably, most of the NIR-II fluorescence probes, especially for inorganic NPs, were hardly excreted from the reticuloendothelial system (RES), yielding the anonymous long-term circulatory safety issue.ResultsHere, we develop a facile strategy for the fabrication of Nd3+-doped rare-earth core–shell nanoparticles (Nd-RENPs), NaGdF4:5%Nd@NaLuF4, with strong emission in the NIR-II window. What’s more, the Nd-RENPs could be quickly eliminated from the hepatobiliary pathway, reducing the potential risk with the long-term retention in the RES. Further, the Nd-RENPs are successfully utilized for NIR-II in vivo imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, enabling the precise detection of breast cancer.ConclusionsThe rationally designed Nd-RENPs nanoprobes manifest rapid-clearance property revealing the potential application toward the noninvasive preoperative imaging of tumor lesions and real-time intra-operative supervision.Graphical abstract

Highlights

Fluorescence imaging as the beacon for optical navigation has wildly developed in preclinical studies due to its prominent advantages, including noninvasiveness and superior temporal resolution
Different N aLnF4 nanoclusters (Ln = Gd, Nd, Lu) were prepared in accordance with the literature method called LSS, which is based on general phase transfer and separation mechanism [30, 38]. NaGdF4, NaNdF4, and NaLuF4 nanoclusters were respectively employed as core, dopant, and shell to achieve Nd-rare earth-doped nanoparticles (RENPs) through reaction
The oleate ligands on the surfaces of the RENPs contributed to the reduced solubility of particles in water, which was not conducive to their biomedical applications

Summary

Introduction

Fluorescence imaging as the beacon for optical navigation has wildly developed in preclinical studies due to its prominent advantages, including noninvasiveness and superior temporal resolution. Various NIR-II fluorescence probes, including rare earth-doped nanoparticles (RENPs) [13, 14], quantum dots semiconductor [15, 16], single-walled carbon nanotubes [17,18,19], and organic molecules [20, 21], have been widely developed in recent years. Among these probes, RENPs manifest special advantages, such as large Stokes shift, narrow and multi-peak emission profiles, and photostability, which make them potent for biomedical applications [22,23,24]. These findings manifest that RENPs have wide prospects for biological imaging

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