Ratiometric nanothermometer in vivo based on triplet sensitized upconversion.

Xu, Ming; Zou, Xianmei; Su, Qianqian; Yuan, Wei; Cao, Cong; Wang, Qiuhong; Zhu, Xingjun; Feng, Wei et al. · Nat Commun · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Temperature is an essential factor that counts for living systems where complicated vital activities are usually temperature dependent. In vivo temperature mapping based on non-contact optical approach will be beneficial for revealing the physiological phenomena behind with minimized influence to the organism. Herein, a highly thermal-sensitive upconversion system based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) mechanism is pioneered to indicate body temperature variation sensitively over the physiological temperature range. The temperature-insensitive NaYF<sub>4</sub>: Nd nanophosphors with NIR emission was incorporated into the temperature-responsive TTA-upconversion system to serve as an internal calibration unit. Consequently, a ratiometric thermometer capable of accurately monitoring the temperature changes in vivo was developed with high thermal sensitivity (~7.1% K<sup>-1</sup>) and resolution (~0.1 K).

Medical subject headings