文摘
Both 19F MRI and optical imaging are powerful noninvasive molecular imaging modalities in biomedical applications. To integrate these two complementary imaging modalities, the design and synthesis of a novel 19F MRI/fluorescence dual-modal imaging agent is reported herein. Through Sonogashira coupling reaction between the fluorinated phenylacetylene and 1,2,4,5-tetraiodobenzene, a fluorophore with 48 symmetrical fluorines at its periphery was constructed with high efficacy. High aqueous solubility was achieved by PEGylation of the fluorophore with monodisperse PEGs. However, an unexpected self-assembly of the PEGylated amphiphilic fluorophore in water 鈥渢urned off鈥?the 19F NMR signal. However, hydrogenation of the triple bonds or introduction of branched monodisperse PEGs was able to efficiently tune the self-assembly, resulting in the 鈥渢urning on鈥?of the 19F NMR signal. One of these amphiphiles combines the advantages of label-free fluorescence, high 19F MRI sensitivity, biocompatibility, and excellent aqueous solubility. The results demonstrate the great potential of such amphiphiles for real-time 19F MRI and fluorescence dual-modality imaging.