Targeted molecular imaging of TLR4 in hepatocellular carcinoma using zwitterionic near-infrared fluorophores.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are one of the most abundant immune cell types in solid tumors and implicated in tumor progression. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed in TAMs and plays a key role in immune surveillance and tumor progression. Therefore, molecular imaging of TLR4 has potential not only for detection of TAM-enriched progressing tumors, but also evaluation of TLR4 expression in tumor microenvironment.

Methods

Here, we report that near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging can provide a real-time imaging of a syngeneic model of murine hepatocellular carcinoma using targeted strategy against TLR4. We conjugated a zwitterionic NIR fluorophore ZW800-1C with minimal nonspecific tissue interactions to anti-TLR4 antibody and observed its targetabilit

SUBMITTER: Ji Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6785503 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature