Research (Jan 2020)

Centimeter-Deep NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging with Nontoxic AIE Probes in Nonhuman Primates

  • Zonghai Sheng,
  • Yaxi Li,
  • Dehong Hu,
  • Tianliang Min,
  • Duyang Gao,
  • Jen-Shyang Ni,
  • Pengfei Zhang,
  • Yuenan Wang,
  • Xin Liu,
  • Kai Li,
  • Hairong Zheng,
  • Ben Zhong Tang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.34133/2020/4074593
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2020

Abstract

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Fluorescence probes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics are of great importance in biomedical imaging with superior spatial and temporal resolution. However, the lack of toxicity studies and deep tissue imaging in nonhuman primates hinders their clinical translation. Here, we report the blood chemistry and histological analysis in nonhuman primates treated with AIE probes over tenfold of an intravenous dose of clinically used indocyanine green (ICG) during a study period of 36 days to demonstrate AIE probes are nontoxic. Furthermore, through bright and nontoxic AIE probes and fluorescence imaging in the second window (NIR-II, 1,000–1,700 nm), we achieve an unprecedented 1.5-centimeter-deep vascular imaging in nonhuman primates, breaking the current limitation of millimeter-deep NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Our important findings, i.e., nontoxic features of AIE probes and centimeter-deep NIR-II vascular imaging in nonhuman primates, may facilitate successful translation of AIE probes in clinical trials.