213 / 2024-07-15 16:47:36

A VEGFR-targeted NIR-II fluorescence probe highlights tumor angiogenesis in a murine model for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),,targeted probe,angiogenesis,In vivo fluorescence imaging,the second near-infrared window (NIR-II),,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR),

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by pronounced vascularity, with angiogenesis playing a crucial role in its pathogenesis and metastasis. Molecular imaging of specific vascular receptors is imperative for accurate HCC diagnosis. In particular, in vivo imaging using the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window provides enhanced tissue penetration, reduced light scattering, and minimized autofluorescence. Despite the potential of the NIR-II window, there is a pressing necessity to create reliable and safe probes to optimize imaging capabilities for HCC. This study utilizes NIR-II imaging combined with a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeted probe, which consists of a VEGFR-targeted peptide and indocyanine green (ICG), to analyze hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related angiogenesis at a resolution of 56.0 μm. Novel insights are gained by correlating NIR-II fluorescence signals with liver metabolic curves and liver function reserve (LFR) parameters, demonstrating notable distinctions between HCC mice and control subjects. Moreover, in contrast to ICG, the targeted probe demonstrates a distinct impact on blood vessels in vivo, resulting in a tumor-to-normal (T/N) ratio of up to 3.30 in NIR-II imaging following injection. These results indicate that the VEGFR-targeted probe serves as a valuable instrument for NIR-II fluorescence imaging, enhancing the early detection of HCC.