title: Photostimulable near-infrared persistent luminescent nanoprobes for ultrasensitive and longitudinal deep-tissue bio-imaging.
abstract: In vivo fluorescence imaging suffers from suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio and shallow detection depth, which is caused by the strong tissue autofluorescence under constant external excitation and the scattering and absorption of short-wavelength light in tissues. Here we address these limitations by using a novel type of optical nanoprobes, photostimulable LiGa5O8:Cr(3+) near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence nanoparticles, which, with very-long-lasting NIR persistent luminescence and unique photo-stimulated persistent luminescence (PSPL) capability, allow optical imaging to be performed in an excitation-free and hence, autofluorescence-free manner. LiGa5O8:Cr(3+) nanoparticles pre-charged by ultraviolet light can be repeatedly (>20 times) stimulated in vivo, even in deep tissues, by short-illumination (~15 seconds) with a white light-emitting-diode flashlight, giving rise to multiple NIR PSPL that expands the tracking window from several hours to more than 10 days. Our studies reveal promising potential of these nanoprobes in cell tracking and tumor targeting, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity and penetration that far exceed those afforded by conventional fluorescence imaging.
authors.affiliation: 1. College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Yen-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 3. Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Zipeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.affiliation: 4. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20852, USA;
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 1. College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 5. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 6. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 7. Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: Jyoti P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 3. Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 3. Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Hongmin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 4. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20852, USA;
authors.forename: Xinglu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: 6. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 7. Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: Lianchun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 4. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20852, USA;
authors.forename: Xiaoyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 3. Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: 1. College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; ; 5. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Zhengwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D017608:Chromium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000633:toxicity; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D017608:Chromium Compounds; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D005707:Gallic Acid
keywords: LiGa5O8:Cr3+ nanoparticles; in vivo imaging.; near-infrared; persistent luminescence; photostimulated persistent luminescence