Abstract
The synthesis of boehmite nanoparticles modified with lanthanides (Eu, Tb and Gd) is described. Their synthesis, characterization and in vitro assays with HeLa cells were performed. The nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles of the two chelating moieties were studied. Imaging data from laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that the nanoscaffolds were taken up by the cells, distributed throughout the cytoplasm and showed no toxicity. This platform could represent an alternative to silica-based inert matrices as imaging vehicles.
Highlights
Lanthanide ions possess interesting photophysical and magnetic properties that make them very attractive as optical and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents
These payload values are similar to those we have previously reported for the functionalization of boehmite nanoparticles with other organic substrates[12] and correspond to a range of 800–1500 lanthanide ions per nanoparticle functionalized with DO3A and 100–300 lanthanide ions for those particles that incorporate DTPA
Boehmite nanoparticles that were used for grafting DO3A and DTPA belonged to different synthetic crops
Summary
Lanthanide ions possess interesting photophysical and magnetic properties that make them very attractive as optical and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Multifunctional nanoparticles have shown great promise as new probes for biomedical imaging They can carry large payloads of imaging agents, but can be modified to target specific cell markers by conjugation to specific molecules (proteins, monoclonal antibodies or peptides).[7] Due to the mild synthetic conditions, the sol–gel technique[8] represents an appropriate route to create hybrid materials that are conveniently designed by combining a lanthanide complex with an inorganic host.[9] The hybrids can show attractive properties from a mechanical and chemical point of view. The supports mostly used for preparing sensing devices are silica-based due to the good performance of molecules attached to these inert matrices.[10] A further advance in this field would be to look for new supports presenting different properties from silica In this regard, here we report on the synthesis of a new carrier based on boehmite, an aluminium oxyhydroxide (AlO(OH)) containing terminal hydroxyl groups that render high reactivity to the surface, which represents an alternative. The change of boehmite from a sol to a gel state, depending on the pH, would provide a means for recovering the material by a simple centrifugation procedure
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