Classification of pulmonary inflammation stages and assessment of multicomponent drug intervention based on spatiotemporal imaging variations utilizing RhB-conjugated poly-L-lysine nanoparticles

Man Zhang; Shanshan Zhai; He Gao; Tong Sun; Kaixin Liu; Wenshuang Wang; Yuanyuan Hou; Gang Bai

doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101582

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Man Zhang, Shanshan Zhai, He Gao, Tong Sun, Kaixin Liu, Wenshuang Wang, Yuanyuan Hou, Gang Bai. Classification of pulmonary inflammation stages and assessment of multicomponent drug intervention based on spatiotemporal imaging variations utilizing RhB-conjugated poly-L-lysine nanoparticles[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101582

Citation:

Man Zhang, Shanshan Zhai, He Gao, Tong Sun, Kaixin Liu, Wenshuang Wang, Yuanyuan Hou, Gang Bai. Classification of pulmonary inflammation stages and assessment of multicomponent drug intervention based on spatiotemporal imaging variations utilizing RhB-conjugated poly-L-lysine nanoparticles[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101582

Citation:

Man Zhang, Shanshan Zhai, He Gao, Tong Sun, Kaixin Liu, Wenshuang Wang, Yuanyuan Hou, Gang Bai. Classification of pulmonary inflammation stages and assessment of multicomponent drug intervention based on spatiotemporal imaging variations utilizing RhB-conjugated poly-L-lysine nanoparticles[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101582

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Classification of pulmonary inflammation stages and assessment of multicomponent drug intervention based on spatiotemporal imaging variations utilizing RhB-conjugated poly-L-lysine nanoparticles

doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101582

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China

Funds:

This research was supported by the National Key R&

D Program of China (Grant Nos.: 2022YFC3500800 and 2022YFC3500805) and the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin, China (Grant No.: 23JCYBJC01510). Fig. 3, Fig. 6A, and Graphical abstract were created with BioRender (https://www.biorender.com/).

Received Date: Jun. 11, 2025
Accepted Date: Feb. 07, 2026
Rev Recd Date: Feb. 05, 2026
Available Online: Feb. 10, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Acute pulmonary inflammation, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, involves complex immune responses and increased vascular permeability. Conventional imaging techniques for assessing pneumonia and monitoring vascular leakage have limitations in spatial resolution and practicality. Rhodamine B-conjugated poly-L-lysine (RhB-PLL) self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for targeting mitochondria and sensing vascular permeability. Dynamic spatiotemporal imaging analysis stratifies the progression of acute pneumonia into four distinct stages. Six phosphatidylcholine metabolites, exhibiting stage-dependent variations, were proposed as potential biomarkers to support RhB-PLL detection. Subsequently, Fuzheng Jiedu decoction (FZJD) was used as a model to validate the rationale of syndrome-specific treatment for pneumonia. Three simplified prescriptions derived from FZJD showed unique advantages at different stages. Xiaochaihu decoction (XCH) relieved inflammation and oxidative stress in mild to moderate cases; Sanren decoction (SR) reduced vascular leakage and prevented pulmonary edema in moderate to severe cases; Maxingshigan decoction (MXSG) improved mitochondrial function, prevented microcirculatory disorders in severe to critical cases. The combined prescription, FZJD, mitigated disease progression in mild to moderate cases and demonstrated the benefits of overall intervention. This conclusion was further substantiated by metabolomics cluster analysis. Real-time RhB-PLL multimodal imaging enables precise visualization and detection of inflammation progress, facilitates therapy assessment, and enhances the understanding of multicomponent drug combinations.
- RhB-PLL,
- multimodal probe,
- pulmonary inflammation,
- disease staging,
- multicomponent drug intervention

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References(48)

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