Fig. 1

Synthesis and characteristics of macrophage SR-A-targetable DS-Ce6. a Chemical structure and synthetic procedure of DS-Ce6. Amphiphilic DS-Ce6 formed self-assembled nanostructure in aqueous environment. b Size distribution of DS-Ce6 in aqueous condition. Inset: TEM image of DS-Ce6. Scale bar = 100 nm. c Stability test of DS-Ce6 in PBS and 10% FBS as a function of time. d–e UV/Vis absorption d and fluorescence spectra e of Ce6 (PBS with 1% Tween 20) and DS-Ce6 (PBS only or PBS with 1% Tween 20). Inset: fluorescence images of (1) free Ce6 (PBS with 1% Tween 20), (2) DS-Ce6 (PBS) and (3) DS-Ce6 (PBS with 1% Tween 20). f Fluorescence intensity of SOSG of Ce6 (PBS with 1% Tween 20) and DS-Ce6 (PBS only or PBS with 1% Tween 20) as a function of the laser irradiation time