Photoacoustic Imaging Endometriosis Lesions with Nanoparticulate Polydopamine as a Contrast Agent.

Endometriosis (EM) is a prevalent and debilitating gynecological disorder primarily affecting women of reproductive age. The diagnosis of EM has historically been hampered by delays, owing to the absence of reliable diagnostic and monitoring techniques. We herein reported that photoacoustic imaging could be a non-invasive modality for deep-seated EM by employing a hyaluronic acid-modified polydopamine (PDA@HA) nanoparticle as the contrast agent. The PDA@HA nanoparticles exhibited inherent absorption and photothermal effects when exposed to near-infrared light, proficiently converting thermal energy into sound waves. Leveraging the targeting properties of HA, we observed distinct photoacoustic signals emanating from the periphery of orthotopic EM lesions. These findings were corroborated through anatomical observations and in vivo experiments involving mice with green fluorescent protein-labeled EM lesions. Moreover, the changes in photoacoustic intensity over a 24-hour period reflected the dynamic evolution of PDA@HA nanoparticle biodistribution. Through the utilization of a photoacoustic-ultrasound modality, we conducted in vivo assessments of endometriosis (EM) lesion volumes. This innovative approach not only facilitates real-time monitoring of the therapeutic kinetics of candidate drugs but also obviates the need for the sacrifice of experimental mice. As such, our study presents a promising avenue for enhancing the diagnosis and drug screening processes of EM. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.