A novel near-infrared indocyanine dye-polyethylenimine conjugate allows DNA delivery imaging in vivo.
Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence light has been applied to monitor several biological events in vivo since it penetrates tissues more efficiently than visible light. Dyes exhibiting NIR fluorescence and having large Stokes shift are key elements for this promising optical imaging technology. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel conjugate between a near-infrared indocyanine dye and an organic polyamine polymer (polyethylenimine, PEI) (IR820-PEI) with high chemical stability and good optical properties. IR820-PEI absorbs at 665 nm, emits at 780 nm, and displays a large Stokes shift (115 nm). Moreover, the reported conjugate is able to bind DNA, and the delivery process can be monitored in vivo with noninvasive optical imaging techniques. These characteristics make IR820-PEI one of the most effective and versatile indocyanine dye polymeric-conjugate reported so far.
Masotti
Andrea
A
Chemistry Department, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. andrea.masotti@uniroma1.it
Vicennati
Paola
P
Boschi
Federico
F
Calderan
Laura
L
Sbarbati
Andrea
A
Ortaggi
Giancarlo
G
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; C532004:IR820-PEI; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA; D007208:Indocyanine Green