Repurposing ICG enables MR/PA imaging signal amplification and iron depletion for iron-overload disorders.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 34919434.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abl5862 and PMC identifier 8682994.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Precise and noninvasive theranostic methods to quantify and deplete focal iron are of crucial importance for iron-overload disorders. Here, we developed an indocyanine green (ICG)–based imaging platform to reveal Fe<sup>3+</sup> in vitro and in vivo. The high sensitivity and specificity of ICG-Fe interaction facilitated MR images with a marked correlation between <i>T</i><sub>1</sub> signal intensity ratio (<i>T</i><sub>1</sub>SIR) changes and Fe<sup>3+</sup> concentration in rodent models and humans. On the basis of these findings, a rational design for coordination-driven self-assembly ICG-Lecithin (ICG/Leci) was proposed to determine Fe<sup>3+</sup>. The enhancement of photoacoustic signal at 890 nm with increasing Fe<sup>3+</sup> concentration showed an over 600% higher linear slope than that of <i>T</i><sub>1</sub>SIR changes in animal models. ICG/Leci also promoted a 100% increase in iron depletion in the liver compared with deferoxamine. The high MR sensitivity and superior photoacoustic contrast, combined with enhanced iron depletion, demonstrate that ICG/Leci is a promising theranostic agent for simultaneous detection and treatment of iron-overload disorders.