Conjugated‐Polymer‐Based Nanoparticles with Efficient NIR‐II Fluorescent, Photoacoustic and Photothermal Performance

• Published in: Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology Vol. 20; no. 21; pp. 2793 - 2799
• Main Authors: Miao, Yawei, Gu, Chuantao, Yu, Bing, Zhu, Yaowei, Zou, Wentao, Shen, Youqing, Cong, Hailin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 04.11.2019
• Subjects: conjugated polymers; Contrast agents; Fluorescence; Imaging; imaging agents; Nanoparticles; photothermal conversion; Polymers; second near-infrared; second near-infrared; photothermal conversion; nanoparticles; imaging agents; conjugated polymers
• ISSN: 1439-4227; 1439-7633; 1439-7633
• DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900309

Fluorescence imaging (FI) and photoacoustic imaging (PA) play important roles in the real‐time assessment of cell‐based therapies. However, the limitations of conventional organic fluorescence contrast agents and the narrow range of the emission wavelength in the first near‐infrared (NIR‐I) window (750–900 nm) hamper applications of fluorescence imaging in living subjects. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a short‐wave infrared FI contrast agent and PA contrast agent based on a conjugated polymer—poly{2,5‐bis[(5‐thiophen‐2‐yl)methylene]‐3,6‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐2,5‐dihydropyrazine}—and its use to construct multifunctional nanoparticles to simplify photothermal therapy. Warm, but not fuzzy: Multifunctional nanoparticles based on a conjugated polymer have been used as short‐wave infrared FI and PA contrast agents to simplify bioimaging and photothermal therapy. After injection, the polymer nanoparticles eventually collect in the liver and spleen, allowing NIR‐II fluorescent/photoacoustic imaging.