Near-Infrared In Vivo Whole Body Fluorescence Imaging of Peptide Nucleic Acid.

Using near-infrared fluorophore Alexa Fluor-680 peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates, the biodistribution of this potential antisense therapeutic agent can be analyzed in real time in live mice using in vivo imaging. By tracking the fluorescence intensity emitted from the mouse at different time points following administration, the systemic distribution and organ accumulation of PNA can be tracked. In addition, an estimation of the compound's body half-life can be obtained by the change in fluorescence intensity distribution over time. With this technique, the circulation of compounds can be monitored in real time while reducing the number of animals and amount of compounds required.