Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Cyanobacteria-derived near-infrared autofluorescent exosomes enabling synergistic brain lesion imaging and neuroprotection

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.04.027

Figure Lengend Snippet: Fabrication and characterizations of sExo. (A) Schematic diagram of the preparation of sExo. (B) TEM image of SYN and sExo. (C) In vivo fluorescence imaging of SYN and sExos intravenously injected into tMCAO mice. (D) The average fluorescence intensity ratio between the right brain and the left brain in the mice. (E) Ex vivo fluorescence imaging of mouse organs in each group. H, heart; Li, liver; S, spleen; Lu, lung; K, kidney; B, brain. (F) Average radiation efficiency in each group on the basis of tissue fluorescence intensity (n = 3). (G) Comparison of the average fluorescence intensity between the SYN and sExo groups across major ex vivo mouse tissues. (H) The schematic shows the use of two-photon microscopy to assess the BBB penetration of SYN and sExo. A cranial window was created after fixing the mouse head on a brain locator, allowing direct observation of brain regions. (I) In vivo two-photon imaging showing the penetration of SYN and sExo from blood vessels into the brain parenchyma 30 min after intravenous injection in tMCAO mice. Red, Cy5.5 (sExo: Ex 644 nm/Em 655 nm); green, FITC-dextran (MW = 2000 KDa). (J) Expression of cyanobacteria-related proteins. (K) Three-dimensional binding model between integrin α 4 β 1 (green) and Q31PR1 (magenta) (left), and schematic diagram of interface residue interactions (right). (L) Three-dimensional binding model between ICAM-1 (green) and Q9KHA8 (magenta) (left), and schematic diagram of interface residue interactions (right). (M) Three-dimensional binding model between P-gp (green) and Q8VPU8 (magenta) (left), and schematic diagram of interface residue interactions (right). One-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA or two-tailed unpaired t-tests were used to calculate p -values. (∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, ns, not significant).

Article Snippet: Finally, the microstructure of the BBB was observed and imaged via transmission electron microscopy (JEM-1400FLASH, JEOL).

Techniques: In Vivo, Fluorescence, Imaging, Injection, Ex Vivo, Comparison, Microscopy, Expressing, Binding Assay, Residue, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Cyanobacteria-derived near-infrared autofluorescent exosomes enabling synergistic brain lesion imaging and neuroprotection

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.04.027

Figure Lengend Snippet: sExo-mediated protection of BBB structure and function following ischemic stroke. (A) Digital images showing the extravasation of Evans blue dye from the damaged BBB. (B) Quantitative analysis of the Evans blue content in the different groups (n = 4). (C) Brain water content in different groups. (n = 4). (D) The process of detecting the integrity of the BBB by two-photon microscopy is schematically demonstrated. (E) In vivo two-photon imaging showing FITC-dextran (MW = 3500 Da) penetrating damaged vessels into the brain parenchyma. (F) WB analysis of VE-cadherin, Claudin-5, occludin and ZO-1 in the ischemic brains of different mice. (G) TEM images of BBB in different groups. TJ, tight junction; BM, basement membrane. One-way ANOVA was used to calculate p values (∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001).

Article Snippet: Finally, the microstructure of the BBB was observed and imaged via transmission electron microscopy (JEM-1400FLASH, JEOL).

Techniques: Microscopy, In Vivo, Imaging, Membrane