Peng Chen, Andrew G. Ewing, Dechen Jiang, Neso Sojic, Yao Yang
{"title":"Electrochemical Imaging: Revealing Chemistry in Space and Time","authors":"Peng Chen, Andrew G. Ewing, Dechen Jiang, Neso Sojic, Yao Yang","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.6c00153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.6c00153","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1547–1548"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dual-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Imaging on a Monolayer Film of Nanoreactors for Probing Cell–Matrix Interaction","authors":"Xuedong Huang, Langxia Feng, Qian Shi, Zhicheng Lian, Ruolin Yang, Dechen Jiang, Baohong Liu, Depeng Jiang","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00269","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00269","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cell–matrix interactions playa fundamental rolein variousbiological processes and cellular functions. Although electrochemiluminescence(ECL) microscopy, particularly the negative ECL mode, offers a promisinglabel-free approach for investigating cell–matrix interactions,its broader application is constrained by relatively low luminescenceefficiency. In this study, we developed a dual-enhanced negative ECLimaging platform utilizing a monolayer film of gold nano sea-urchin@mesoporoussilica (AuNSU@mSiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoreactors. This self-assembledmonolayer film inherits the nanoconfinement effect and localized surfaceplasmon resonance properties from individual AuNSU@mSiO<sub>2</sub> nanoreactors, endowing it with a substantial amplification of theECL signal from the Ru(bpy)<sub>3</sub><sup>2+</sup>/TPrA system.Owing to its flatness and structural uniformity, the monolayer filmensures homogeneous ECL enhancement, thereby enabling high sensitivityand spatially resolved observation of cell adhesion. This platformoutperforms the conventional negative ECL systems by providing a superiorsignal-to-noise ratio and an extended dynamic range, which allowsfor revealing cell adhesion heterogeneity and strength distribution.This work not only provides a powerful tool for probing cell–matrixinteractions but also paves the way for fundamental studies in numerousbiological processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1718–1726"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Electrochemiluminescence Imaging for In Situ Electrocatalysis Characterization: Recent Progress and Mechanistic Insights","authors":"Shiyu Zhang, Hongye Wang, Alaa A. Salem, Yang Liu","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00283","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00283","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) imaginghas emerged as a powerfuloptical microscopy technique due to its high sensitivity and exceptionalspatiotemporal resolution. When integrated with electrocatalysis,ECL imaging serves as a promising in situ tool for characterizingcatalytic processes. In this Perspective, we first introduce the signaltransduction principles of ECL imaging tailored for electrocatalysis.Subsequently, we systematically summarize its diverse applications,ranging from the real-time monitoring of catalytic interfaces andhigh-throughput screening of single catalysts to the evaluation ofsubparticle heterogeneity. Notably, we also discuss how ECL imagingprovides refined mechanistic insights into catalytic activity, surpassingthe capabilities of traditional methods. Finally, current challengesand future perspectives are discussed, aiming to provide a roadmapfor the further development of ECL imaging in uncovering complex catalyticmechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1646–1664"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lipid Droplet Specific Targeted Polarity-Sensitive NIR Fluorescence Carbon Dots for Imaging Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease","authors":"Yudi Cheng, Hui Li, Jiao Chen, Mengyao She, Ping Liu, Fulin Chen, Shengyong Zhang, Jianli Li","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00300","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Lipid droplets (LDs) are multifunctionalorganelles essential forlipid storage, metabolic regulation, and cellular homeostasis, andtheir dysregulation is closely associated with the onset and progressionof metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).Sensitive and specific fluorescent imaging of LDs dynamics is crucialfor elucidating MASLD pathogenesis and accelerating the developmentof effective therapeutics. Herein, we report near-infrared fluorescentcarbon dots (<strong>NIR-FCDs</strong>) with precise LDs-targeting capabilityand enabling high-contrast imaging of LDs distribution in AML-12 cellsand MASLD mice model, exhibiting high brightness (QY: 8.6%), deep-tissuepenetration (75 μm), excellent photostability (>3 h continuousirradiation), and superior signal-to-background (SBR = 26). Leveragingthese properties, <strong>NIR-FCDs</strong> was applied for visualizingpathological lipid accumulation in MASLD mice models and demonstratedtheir utility in a drug-screening platform successfully. This workdeveloped a robust <strong>NIR-FCDs</strong> for LDs-specific imagingand highlighted its potential to advance mechanistic studies and therapeuticdiscovery in metabolic liver diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1775–1784"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cuicui Li, Ni Wang, Jie Li, Xiaozheng Zhang, Jinming Tian, Xiaoyi Zheng, Changjing Zuo, Tao Wang, Danni Li, Xiao Li, Rou Li, Jinming Yu
{"title":"18F-CC-Omi-X PET in Characterizing Lipid Metabolism via ACE2 Mapping","authors":"Cuicui Li, Ni Wang, Jie Li, Xiaozheng Zhang, Jinming Tian, Xiaoyi Zheng, Changjing Zuo, Tao Wang, Danni Li, Xiao Li, Rou Li, Jinming Yu","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00291","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Dysregulated lipid metabolism, as seen in obesity, isclosely linkedto altered angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in adiposetissue. However, real-time noninvasive monitoring of ACE2 dynamics <em>in vivo</em> remains a significant challenge. Therefore, we developed <sup>18</sup>F-CC-Omi-X (Omi-X: HQPYRVVVLSFELLH), an ACE2-targeted PETtracer specifically designed for mapping ACE2 in lipid metabolic contexts. <span>l</span>-Propargylglycine (<span>l</span>-Pra) was modified to the C-terminusof Omi-X to suit <sup>18</sup>F-labeling via the click-chemistry protocol,which minimized steric hindrance and preserved superior binding specificitycompared to conventional N-terminus modification, as evidenced bya favorable IC<sub>50</sub> (421 nM) in competitive binding assays.In diet-induced obese humanized ACE2 (hACE2) mice, <sup>18</sup>F-CC-Omi-XPET showed high and specific uptake in adipose depots, with SUV<sub>max</sub> strongly correlating with <em>ex vivo</em> ACE2levels (<em>r</em> = 0.961, <em>P</em> < 0.05).Crucially, intervention with the ACE2 modulator ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) led to a significant decrease in tracer uptake in both subcutaneousand mesenteric fat, thereby enabling visualization of pharmacologicallyinduced ACE2 downregulation <em>in vivo</em>. This work established <sup>18</sup>F-CC-Omi-X as a vital molecular imaging tracer, enablingthe noninvasive quantification of ACE2 dynamics directly within keylipid metabolic tissues, which is essential for elucidating its rolein metabolic diseases and evaluating targeted therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1765–1774"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chao Chen, Jun Yang, Shihao Jiang, Ye Chen, Yuansong He, Songling Liu, Kang Chen, Lei Zhou, Wei Cheng, Hongwen Liu
{"title":"Progress in the Design and Clinical Application of Probes for Fluorescence-Guided Laparoscopic Surgery","authors":"Chao Chen, Jun Yang, Shihao Jiang, Ye Chen, Yuansong He, Songling Liu, Kang Chen, Lei Zhou, Wei Cheng, Hongwen Liu","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00278","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fluorescence-guided laparoscopic surgery has emergedas a transformativetechnology in minimally invasive surgery, fundamentally enhancingvisualization and precision by providing real-time, high-contrastmolecular information beyond traditional anatomical views. This paradigmshift is driven by synergistic innovations in two key areas: the rationaldesign of target-specific fluorescent probes with improved opticalproperties and biorecognition capabilities, and significant advancementsin imaging systems, including seamless hardware integration, multimodaldata fusion, and AI-assisted image analysis. This comprehensive reviewcritically summarizes the latest progress across this interdisciplinaryspectrum, detailing breakthroughs in probe molecule engineering, technologicalevolution of imaging platforms, and expanding clinical applicationsin both oncologic and nononcologic fields. By synthesizing these developmentsand analyzing current challenges, this article outlines the trajectoryof the field and underscores the integrated efforts required to translateoptical precision into surgical outcomes and personalized patientcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1608–1628"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fluorogenic Autophagic Vesicle-Engaging Probe Enables High-Contrast and Homogeneous Imaging of Autophagic Flux in Live Cells","authors":"Ning Wang, Zhepei Lu, Yaping Lu, Xin Li","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00285","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00285","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Autophagic flux is a highly dynamicprocess essentialfor cellularhomeostasis, yet its reliable visualization in live cells remainschallenging due to the limitations of transfection-based LC3 reporters.Here, we present ATP3, a fluorogenic and ratiometric chemical probethat directly engages autophagic vesicles to enable the high-contrastand homogeneous imaging of autophagic flux without genetic manipulation.ATP3 constitutes a guanine targeting moiety and a smart fluorophore,with the former facilitating autophagic vesicle engagement, whilethe latter is intrinsically quenched and environment-responsive. ATP3exhibits minimal background fluorescence and robust signal amplificationupon autophagy-dependent engagement. Side-by-side comparisons demonstratethat ATP3 outperforms the conventional mRFP–GFP–LC3assay in imaging contrast and staining uniformity. Furthermore, ATP3enables dynamic monitoring of autophagic responses in an oxygen–glucosedeprivation model, revealing progressive enhancement of autophagicflux under ischemic stress. Together, ATP3 provides a robust and broadlyapplicable chemical tool for visualizing autophagy dynamics in physiologicallyand disease-relevant contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1740–1749"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Site-Specific Labeling of PD-L1 Fab through Disulfide Rebridging for ImmunoPET Imaging","authors":"Jiyao Yu, Charles Yen, Qunfeng Fu, Sheng-Yao Dai, Melwin Cheng, Jianghong Rao","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.6c00022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.6c00022","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Immuno-positron emission tomography is a powerful toolfor noninvasivein vivo visualization of antibody distribution and binding in tissuesor organs. However, the current chemical toolbox for generating immunoPETprobes compromises key attributes such as homogeneity, structuralintegrity, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Quinoxaline bis-nitrileshave been reported to site-selectively label antibodies via disulfidebond rebridging with robust efficiency and stability. In this study,we applied this approach to establish this chemistry for rapidly generatingstructurally defined Fab-based probes for in vivo imaging. Initially,we employed a NODAGA-functionalized bis-nitrile derivative to generatea PD-L1 PET probe for in vivo PET imaging with <sup>64</sup>Cu. Next,a functional handle was installed on the quinoxaline bis-nitrile scaffoldto enable site-specific chemical PEGylation of Fab. This modificationresulted in an immunoPET probe with reduced renal uptake and an improvedsignal-to-noise ratio. Overall, the results demonstrate that thislabeling chemistry is robust and versatile for generating functionalFab conjugates for PET imaging in cancer research.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1816–1826"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Label-Free Hyperspectral Raman Imaging and Analysis of a 3D Spheroid Model for Liver Fibrosis Study","authors":"Gunganist Kongklad, Menglu Li, Tomoko Yamashita, Tomoaki Okumura, Satoshi Fujita, Katsumasa Fujita","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00243","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00243","url":null,"abstract":"<p>An aberrant wound-healing response to chronic liver injuryresultsin excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, includingcollagen, leading to liver fibrosis, a process in which hepatocytesand hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play key roles. In this study, wepresent HepG2 and LX-2 cocultured spheroids as a three-dimensional <em>in vitro</em> model of liver fibrosis and highlight the potentialof hyperspectral Raman imaging as a label-free analytical approachfor assessing fibrosis-associated responses. HepG2 cells and LX-2cells served as hepatocytes and HSCs, respectively, within the coculturespheroids. Hyperspectral Raman imaging allowed for the acquisitionof fingerprint spectra from individual cells, revealing distinct cytochrome-relatedband patterns that facilitated cell-type segmentation without labeling.To induce fibrosis, spheroids were treated with fibrosis activationfactors: free fatty acids (FFAs) and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β). FFA administration induced steatotic features in thecoculture spheroids, as demonstrated by a direct correlation betweenthe increasing lipid band intensity in the Raman spectra and FFA concentrations.Concurrently, a reduced cytochrome-related band intensity was observedin these spheroids. Furthermore, LX-2 spheroids but not HepG2 spheroidsexhibited signs of fibrosis after TGF-β activation. Raman analysisrevealed that the amide I and III bands reflected extracellular matrix,especially collagen accumulation, applied as fibrosis markers. Notably,in the 2:1 coculture spheroids, we observed enhanced fibrosis-relatedbands in the LX-2-enriched regions. The consistency between Ramanimaging results and immunofluorescent images underscores the potentialof hyperspectral Raman imaging as a sensitive and noninvasive methodfor assessing liver fibrosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1695–1705"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preliminary Application of TROP2-Targeted Peptide Screening for Real-Time Intraoperative Navigation in Pancreatic Cancer","authors":"Yongshou Chen, Zhiguo Fang, Zhilin Luo, Tianyi Ma, Jingrun Yang, Shuang Cao, Zihua Wang","doi":"10.1021/cbmi.5c00235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00235","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) in the near-infraredII (NIR-II)window offers improved tissue penetration and higher signal-to-backgroundratios, but widely used nonspecific probes such as indocyanine green(ICG) lack tumor selectivity, limiting their value in pancreatic ductaladenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we identified trophoblast cell surfaceantigen 2 (TROP2) as an imaging target and developed a TROP2-targetedpeptide-based NIR-II probe, HCP–ICG, for precision intraoperativenavigation. The high-affinity TROP2-binding peptide HCP (HYEYWDEEHEC)was discovered through an OBOC peptide library and conjugated to ICGto yield HCP–ICG. The probe exhibited nanomolar affinity (KD= 2.64 × 10<sup>–8</sup> M), high cellular specificity,and excellent biocompatibility. In TROP2-positive PDAC xenograft models,HCP–ICG rapidly accumulated in tumors within 0.5 h, peakedat 4 h, and maintained high tumor-to-background ratios for up to 12h, significantly outperforming free ICG (<em>P</em> < 0.01).Intraoperative NIR-II imaging clearly delineated tumor margins andenabled complete fluorescence-guided resection without residual signal,while histological analyses confirmed spatial concordance with TROP2expression and no observable toxicity in major organs. By integratingmolecular targeting with NIR-II optical performance, HCP–ICGenables rapid, durable, and good imaging selectivity for TROP2-positivePDAC lesions, providing a promising strategy for precision fluorescence-guidedsurgery and potential extension to other TROP2-overexpressing tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":53181,"journal":{"name":"Chemical & Biomedical Imaging","volume":"4 8","pages":"1684–1694"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148810140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}