title: Fluorescent macromolecular sensors of enzymatic activity for in vivo imaging.
abstract: Macromolecular imaging probes (or sensors) of enzymatic activity have a unique place in the armamentarium of modern optical imaging techniques. Such probes were initially developed by attaching optically "silent" fluorophores via enzyme-sensitive linkers to large copolymers of biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(amino acids). In diseased tissue, where the concentration of enzymes is high, the fluorophores are freed from the macromolecular carrier and regain their initial ability to fluoresce, thus allowing in vivo optical localization of the diseased tissue. This chapter describes the design and application of these probes and their alternatives in various areas of experimental medicine and gives an overview of currently available techniques that allow imaging of animals using visible and near-infrared light.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Imaging Probes, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Alexei A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bogdanov
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002232:Carbocyanines; D004798:Enzymes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers; C000657:cyanine dye 1; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols