Synthesis and evaluation of Cy5.5-Rit tracer for specific near-infrared fluorescence imaging of sentinel lymph node

We have synthesized and evaluated the new use of the conjugate, Cy5.5-Rit, as an optical imaging agent to detect SLN. For in vivo NIRF imaging, the conjugate stayed in SLN from 30 min to 9 days post injection. The conjugate maintained the intact immune activity, allowing NIRF imaging of lymph node in nude mice.