Advanced optical imaging technology in the near infrared window for cell tracking in vivo

• Published in: Coordination chemistry reviews 2024-12, Vol.521, p.216178, Article 216178
• Main Authors: Zhao, Xuan, Ma, Yongmin, Lei, Zuhai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical applications; Cell labeling and tracking; Intravital imaging; NIR optical imaging; Optical labeling agents
• ISSN: 0010-8545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2024.216178

Recent years, cell-based therapeutics are undergoing explosive growth in the modern biomedical field. The ability for non-invasively and real-timely tracking and understanding the fate and functionality of cells in vivo after transplantation is vitally important for safe and effective treatments in cell-based therapeutics or exploring physiological and pathological processes in biological systems. Optical imaging in the near-infrared window (700–1700 nm) is regarded as the most promising imaging modality for in vivo cell tracking in both fundamental scientific research and clinical practice. Very recently, in vivo cell tracking with NIR optical imaging has made significant advances in determining the fate and trafficking of biologically active cells benefiting from the flourishing development of NIR optical imaging agents. In this review, we summarize the most recent research advances in this field of non-invasive cell tracking in vivo with NIR optical imaging for modern biomedical applications. We also describe the basic concepts and principles of intravital cell tracking, explain different labeling manners for cell tracking, and highlight recent representative examples for the application of such cell tracking technologies in various animal models. Furthermore, the fundamental challenges and development perspectives for in vivo cell tracking are also discussed. Non-invasive cell tracking in vivo is an emerging imaging approach for tracking cells in their native environment, which provides an ideal way to directly explore the role of cell trafficking in physiological and pathological processes in living organisms. In this Review, we describe the basic concepts and principles of intravital cell tracking, explain different labeling approaches for cell tracking, highlight recent representative examples for the application of such cell tracking technologies in various animal models, and provide perspectives on the future development in this promising field. [Display omitted] •This review concentrates upon non-invasive cell tracking in vivo with NIR optical imaging for modern biomedical applications.•Intravital cell tracking provides an ideal way to directly explore the role of cell trafficking during biological processes.•The basic concepts and principles of intravital cell tracking and different labeling approaches are summarized.•Recent developments, perspectives and challenges for in vivo cell tracking in modern medicine fields are discussed.