Near-infrared optical imaging of nucleic acid nanocarriers in vivo

Abstract

Noninvasive, real-Time optical imaging methods are well suited to follow the in vivo distribution of nucleic acid nanocarriers, their dissociation, and the resulting gene expression or inhibition. Indeed, most small animal imaging devices perform bioluminescence and fl uorescence measurements without moving the animal, allowing a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method of investigation of several parameters at a time, in longitudinal experiments that can last for days or weeks. Here we help the reader in choosing adapted near-infrared (NIR) fl uorophores or pairs of fl uorophores for Förster resonance energy transfer assays, imaging of reporter genes, as well as nanocarriers for in vivo gene and siRNA delivery. In addition, we present the labeling methods of these macromolecules and of their payload and the protocols to detect them using bioluminescence and NIR fl uorescence imaging in mice. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2013.