Injured renal cell membrane encapsulated ICG/CORM-401 for homologous targeted NIR theranostics of acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently attributed to the lack of effective early diagnosis and incorrect timing for treatment, resulting in a high incidence rate and mortality. Currently, there is no precise clinical treatment available for AKI. In this study, we developed a good approach utilizing injured renal cell membrane-coated ICG/CORM-401 nanosystem (IRICP), which can specifically target to the injured kidney site through homologous targeting of the injured renal cell membrane. Through in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that indocyanine green (ICG), acting as a near-infrared (NIR) contrast agent, enables clear visualization of its distribution using fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) techniques. The addition of CORM-401 effectively mitigates AKI-induced oxidative stress by consuming reactive oxygen species and generating carbon monoxide for anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-oxidative effects, thereby effectively inhibiting the progression of AKI and facilitating its recovery. In conclusion, this targeted theranostic strategy presents high efficiency and promise potential for the future clinical treatment of AKI.