Cell Tolerability and Biodistribution in Mice of Indocyanine Green-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles

Considering toxicity requirements for clinical translation of fluorescence imaging applications, the use of biocompatible carriers for designing near infrared emitting contrast agents appears as an attractive alternative to semiconductor nanocrystals. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have been designed to serve as carriers for indocyanine green (ICG), the presently only human-use approved near infrared dye. The cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of these nanoparticle-based probes are determined in vitro, respectively in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and human blood samples. Comparative biodistribution of free ICG and ICG-LNP in mice is monitored, and an ex vivo fluorescence organ quantification is performed considering large animal cohorts. Good tolerability and very low hemolytic activity are demonstrated for naked and ICG-loaded LNP. Interestingly, ICG-LNP lead to long-term plasma fluorescence (>24 hours) but also a partial intestinal reabsorption of ICG between 5 and 24 hours after injection. This novel ICG nanoformulation is foreseen to expand rapidly the field of clinical fluorescence imaging applications.