Fluorescence tumor-imaging using a thermo-responsive molecule with an emissive aminoquinoline derivative

We synthesized (2,4-trifluoromethyl-7-N-bis(2,5,8,11-tetraoxatridecane-13-yl)-aminoquinoline) TFMAQ-diEg4, an emissive aminoquinoline derivative that incorporated two tetraethyleneglycol chains into an amino group. TFMAQ-diEg4 showed fluorescence and thermo-responsive properties accompanied by a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), due to the introduction of the oligoethylene glycol chain. This thermo-responsive LCST behavior occurred at the border of a cloud point. Below and above the cloud point, self-assemblies of 6-7-nm nanoparticles and ~2000-nm microparticles were observed, in vitro. In addition, TFMAQ-diEg4 showed a high solubility, over 20 mM for aqueous solution, in vivo, which not only prevented thrombosis but also allowed various examinations, such as single intravenous administration and intravenous drips. Intravenous administration of TFMAQ-diEg4, to tumor-bearing, mice led to the accumulation of the molecule in the tumor tissue, as observed by fluorescence imaging. A subset of mice was treated with local heat around their tumor tissue and an intravenous drip of TFMAQ-diEg4, which led to a high intensity of TFMAQ-diEg4 emission within the tumor tissue. Therefore, we revealed that TFMAQ-diEg4 was useful as a fluorescence probe with thermo-responsive properties.