Identification of early-stage liver fibrosis by modifications in the interstitial space diffusive microenvironment using fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes

During liver fibrosis, recurrent hepatic injuries lead to accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the interstitial space, ultimately disrupting liver functions. Early stages of liver fibrosis may be reversible, but opportunities for diagnosis at these stages are currently limited. Here, we show that the alterations of the interstitial space associated with fibrosis can be probed by tracking individual fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) diffusing in that space. In a mouse model of early liver fibrosis, we find that nanotubes generally explore elongated areas, whose length decrease as the disease progresses even in regions where histopathological examination does not reveal fibrosis yet. Furthermore, this decrease in nanotube mobility is a purely geometrical effect, as the instantaneous nanotube diffusivity stays unmodified. This work establishes the promise of SWCNTs both for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis at an early stage, and for more in-depth studies of the biophysical effects of the disease.