All Publications


  • In vivo molecular imaging for immunotherapy using ultra-bright near-infrared-IIb rare-earth nanoparticles. Nature biotechnology Zhong, Y., Ma, Z., Wang, F., Wang, X., Yang, Y., Liu, Y., Zhao, X., Li, J., Du, H., Zhang, M., Cui, Q., Zhu, S., Sun, Q., Wan, H., Tian, Y., Liu, Q., Wang, W., Garcia, K. C., Dai, H. 2019

    Abstract

    The near-infrared-IIb (NIR-IIb) (1,500-1,700nm) window is ideal for deep-tissue optical imaging in mammals, but lacks bright and biocompatible probes. Here, we developed biocompatible cubic-phase (alpha-phase) erbium-based rare-earth nanoparticles (ErNPs) exhibiting bright downconversion luminescence at ~1,600nm for dynamic imaging of cancer immunotherapy in mice. We used ErNPs functionalized with cross-linked hydrophilic polymer layers attached to anti-PD-L1 (programmed cell death-1 ligand-1) antibody for molecular imaging of PD-L1 in a mouse model of colon cancer and achieved tumor-to-normal tissue signal ratios of ~40. The long luminescence lifetime of ErNPs (~4.6ms) enabled simultaneous imaging of ErNPs and lead sulfide quantum dots emitting in the same ~1,600nm window. In vivo NIR-IIb molecular imaging of PD-L1 and CD8 revealed cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment in response to immunotherapy, and altered CD8 signals in tumor and spleen due to immune activation. The cross-linked functionalization layer facilitated 90% ErNP excretion within 2weeks without detectable toxicity in mice.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41587-019-0262-4

    View details for PubMedID 31570897

  • Molecular imaging in the second near-infrared window. Advanced functional materials Wan, H., Du, H., Wang, F., Dai, H. 2019; 29 (25)

    Abstract

    In the past decade, noticeable progress has been achieved regarding fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. Fluorescence imaging in the NIR-II window demonstrates superiorities of deep tissue penetration and high spatial and temporal resolution, which are beneficial for profiling physiological processes. Meanwhile, molecular imaging has emerged as an efficient tool to decipher biological activities on the molecular and cellular level. Extending molecular imaging into the NIR-II window would enhance the imaging performance, providing more detailed and accurate information of the biological system. In this progress report, selected achievements made in NIR-II molecular imaging are summarized. The organization of this report is based on strategies underlying rational designs of NIR-II imaging probes and their applications in molecular imaging are highlighted. This progress report may provide guidance and reference for further development of functional NIR-II probes designed for high-performance molecular imaging.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/adfm.201900566

    View details for PubMedID 31885529

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6934177

  • Light-sheet microscopy in the near-infrared II window NATURE METHODS Wang, F., Wan, H., Ma, Z., Zhong, Y., Sun, Q., Tian, Y., Qu, L., Du, H., Zhang, M., Li, L., Ma, H., Luo, J., Liang, Y., Li, W., Hong, G., Liu, L., Dai, H. 2019; 16 (6): 545-+
  • Molecular Imaging in the Second Near-Infrared Window ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Wan, H., Du, H., Wang, F., Dai, H. 2019; 29 (25)