Paramagnetic Relaxation-Based ~(19)F MRI Probe To Detect Protease Activity

摘要

Real-time imaging of enzyme activities in vivo offers valuable information in understanding living systems and in developing medicine for various types of diseases. Currently, a variety of fluorescent probes for detecting enzyme activities are generally used for their high-sensitivity characteristics. However, general fluorescence imaging methods are not suitable for in vivo studies because visible fluorescence scarcely transmits through animal bodies. Although near-infrared fluorophores are useful for in vivo imaging for tissue surfaces, they cannot be applied to the deep section of the organ. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is known as an imaging technique adequate for in vivo studies.