Near-infrared-emissive polymersomes: self-assembled soft matter for in vivo optical imaging.

We demonstrate that synthetic soft materials can extend the utility of natural vesicles, from predominantly hydrophilic reservoirs to functional colloidal carriers that facilitate the biomedical application of large aqueous-insoluble compounds. Near-infrared (NIR)-emissive polymersomes (50-nm- to 50-microm-diameter polymer vesicles) were generated through cooperative self assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers and conjugated multi(porphyrin)-based NIR fluorophores (NIRFs). When compared with natural vesicles comprised of phospholipids, polymersomes were uniquely capable of incorporating and uniformly distributing numerous large hydrophobic NIRFs exclusively in their lamellar membranes.

Redox ratio of mitochondria as an indicator for the response of photodynamic therapy.

The effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment on the metabolic state of tumor mitochondria is investigated by imaging of tumor redox status. PDT is performed using the photosensitizer pyropheophorbide-2-deoxyglucosamide (Pyro-2DG), which utilizes the glucose import pathway. It is found that Pyro-2DG-induced PDT resulting in a highly oxidized state of tumor mitochondria.

Carbocyanine labeled LDL for optical imaging of tumors.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define and characterize carbocyanine labeled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to be used in the optical imaging of LDL receptor (LDLr)-overexpressing tumor models.

Materials And Methods: 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) was used to label LDL (DiI-LDL). Scatchard plots were generated to determine the maximum binding capacity B(max) and dissociation constants K(D) of DiI-LDL in B16 melanoma (B16) and hepatoblastoma G(2) (HepG(2)) cell lines.

Cyclophosphamide treatment modifies tumor oxygenation and glycolytic rates of RIF-1 tumors: 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Eppendorf electrode, and redox scanning.

The effect of cyclophosphamide (Cp) on the glycolytic rate of radiation-induced fibrosarcomas (RIF-1) was measured in vivo in C3H mice by following the production of [3-(13)C]lactate after tail vein infusion of labeled [1-(13)C]glucose. Cp administered i.p.

Pyropheophorbide 2-deoxyglucosamide: a new photosensitizer targeting glucose transporters.

To prepare near-infrared fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy agents targeted at glucose transporters, pyropheophorbide 2-deoxyglucosamide (Pyro-2DG) was synthesized and evaluated in a 9L glioma rat model. Fluorescence imaging studies demonstrate that Pyro-2DG is selectively accumulated in the tumor. Upon its photoactivation, we demonstrate that this agent efficiently causes selective mitochondrial damage to the region of a tumor that was photoirradiated after administration of this agent, but does not affect tissues photoirradiated in the absence of the agent or tissues treated with the agent that are not photoirradiated.

Tricarbocyanine cholesteryl laurates labeled LDL: new near infrared fluorescent probes (NIRFs) for monitoring tumors and gene therapy of familial hypercholesterolemia.

For monitoring low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLr) in tumors and in livers of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) treated with gene therapy, a series of tricarbocyanine cholesteryl laurates were synthesized with the cholesteryl laurate moiety serving as the lipid-chelating anchor for low-density lipoprotein (LDL). One of these conjugates, TCL17, was successfully used to label LDL to give a new NIRF, TCL17-LDL. Ex vivo biological studies on an LDLr overexpressing tumor model, human hepatoblastoma G(2) (HepG(2)), confirmed that this NIRF were internalized selectively by the tumor and detected with high sensitivity by a low-temperature 3-D redox scanner.