Two-dimensional NIR-II AIE nanotheranostic probes with ultralarge Stokes shifts for surgical navigation and ablation of glioma.

Liu, Yisheng; Su, Xiang; Zhong, Yong; Shangguan, Ping; Zhu, Jun; Luo, Zhengqun; Wu, Haigang; Wang, Dong et al. · Sci Adv · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probes featuring ultralarge Stokes shifts and efficient aggregate-state luminescence are highly desirable for bioimaging yet remain scarce due to formidable synthetic challenges and intricate photophysical modulation. We report a facile one-step click reaction to synthesize a tetracyanoquinodimethane-derived NIR probe (TNQ2) that overcomes the long-standing nonfluorescence limitation while achieving an unprecedented 445-nanometer Stokes shift. TNQ2 self-assembles into the smallest-sized two-dimensional <i>J</i>-aggregates (sub-160 nanometers) with a red-shift absorption from 545 to 725 nanometers and aggregation-enhanced emission around 1000 nanometers. The radiative/nonradiative modulation balances the fluorescence/photothermal/photodynamic effect to support high-sensitivity NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided precise glioma resection and postoperative phototherapy to substantially extend survival in orthotopic glioma models. Our molecule/nanoengineering strategy establishes a transformative paradigm for developing advanced NIR phototheranostics for brain diseases.

Medical subject headings