Efficient Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents Research Articles

Near infrared-emitting multimodal nanosystem for in vitro magnetic hyperthermia of hepatocellular carcinoma and dual imaging of in vivo liver fibrosis

Prolonged usage of traditional nanomaterials in the biological field has posed several short- and long-term toxicity issues. Over the past few years, smart nanomaterials (SNs) with controlled physical, chemical, and biological features have been synthesized in an effort to allay these challenges. The current study seeks to develop theranostic SNs based on iron oxide to enable simultaneous magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for chronic liver damage like liver fibrosis which is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. To accomplish this, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared, coated with a biocompatible and naturally occurring polysaccharide, alginate. The resultant material, ASPIONs were evaluated in terms of physicochemical, magnetic and biological properties. A hydrodynamic diameter of 40 nm and a transverse proton relaxation rate of 117.84 mM−1 s−1 pronounces the use of ASPIONs as an efficient MRI contrast agent. In the presence of alternating current of 300 A, ASPIONs could elevate the temperature to 45 °C or more, with the possibility of hyperthermia based therapeutic approach. Magnetic therapeutic and imaging potential of ASPIONs were further evaluated respectively in vitro and in vivo in HepG2 carcinoma cells and animal models of liver fibrosis, respectively. Finally, to introduce dual imaging capability along with magnetic properties, ASPIONs were conjugated with near infrared (NIR) dye Atto 700 and evaluated its optical imaging efficiency in animal model of liver fibrosis. Histological analysis further confirmed the liver targeting efficacy of the developed SNs for Magnetic theranostics and optical imaging as well as proved its short-term safety, in vivo.

Single-Atom Gadolinium Nano-Contrast Agents with High Stability for Tumor T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Gadolinium chelates for tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) face challenges such as inadequate sensitivity, lack of selectivity, and risk of Gd leakage. This study presents a single-atom Gd nano-contrast agent (Gd-SA) that enhances tumor MRI. Isolated Gd atoms coordinated by six N atoms and two O atoms are atomically dispersed on a hollow carbon nanosphere, allowing the maximum utilization of Gd atoms with reduced risk of toxic Gd ion leakage. Owning to the large surface area and fast exchange of relaxed water molecules, Gd-SA shows excellent T1-weighted magnetic resonance enhancement with a r1 value of 11.05 mM-1 s-1 at 7 T, which is 3.6 times that of the commercial gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). In vivo MRI results show that the Gd-SA has a higher spatial resolution and a wider imaging time window for tumors than Gd-DTPA, with low hematological, hepatic, and nephric toxicities. These advantages demonstrate the great potential of single-atom Gd-based nanomaterials as safe, efficient, and long-term MRI contrast agents for cancer diagnosis.

Effect of the Size and Shape of Dendronized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Bearing a Targeting Ligand on MRI, Magnetic Hyperthermia, and Photothermia Properties-From Suspension to In Vitro Studies.

Functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are increasingly being designed as a theranostic nanoplatform combining specific targeting, diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and multimodal therapy by hyperthermia. The effect of the size and the shape of IONPs is of tremendous importance to develop theranostic nanoobjects displaying efficient MRI contrast agents and hyperthermia agent via the combination of magnetic hyperthermia (MH) and/or photothermia (PTT). Another key parameter is that the amount of accumulation of IONPs in cancerous cells is sufficiently high, which often requires the grafting of specific targeting ligands (TLs). Herein, IONPs with nanoplate and nanocube shapes, which are promising to combine magnetic hyperthermia (MH) and photothermia (PTT), were synthesized by the thermal decomposition method and coated with a designed dendron molecule to ensure their biocompatibility and colloidal stability in suspension. Then, the efficiency of these dendronized IONPs as contrast agents (CAs) for MRI and their ability to heat via MH or PTT were investigated. The 22 nm nanospheres and the 19 nm nanocubes presented the most promising theranostic properties (respectively, r2 = 416 s-1·mM-1, SARMH = 580 W·g-1, SARPTT = 800 W·g-1; and r2 = 407 s-1·mM-1, SARMH = 899 W·g-1, SARPTT = 300 W·g-1). MH experiments have proven that the heating power mainly originates from Brownian relaxation and that SAR values can remain high if IONPs are prealigned with a magnet. This raises hope that heating will maintain efficient even in a confined environment, such as in cells or in tumors. Preliminary in vitro MH and PTT experiments have shown the promising effect of the cubic shaped IONPs, even though the experiments should be repeated with an improved set-up. Finally, the grafting of a specific peptide (P22) as a TL for head and neck cancers (HNCs) has shown the positive impact of the TL to enhance IONP accumulation in cells.

Copper(II) complexes of cyclams with N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-aminoalkyl pendant arms as potential probes for 19F magnetic resonance imaging.

A series of Cu(II) complexes with cyclam-based ligands containing two N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-aminoalkyl pendant arms in 1,8-positions (L1: 1,2-ethylene spacer, L2: 1,3-propylene spacer; L3: 1,4-butylene spacer) was studied in respect to potential use as contrast agents for 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A number of structures of the complexes as well as of several organic precursors were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Geometric parameters (especially distances between fluorine atoms and the central metal ion) were determined for each complex and the identity of isomeric complex species present in solution was established. The NMR longitudinal relaxation times (T1) of 19F nuclei in the ligands at clinically relevant fields and temperatures (1-2 s) were significantly shortened upon Cu(II) binding to 7-10 ms for [Cu(L1)]2+, 20-30 ms for [Cu(L2)]2+ and 20-50 ms for [Cu(L3)]2+. The trend of the relaxation time shortening is in accordance with the distance and number of chemical bonds between fluorine atoms and the Cu(II) ion. The signals show promising T2*/T1 ratios in the range 0.25-0.55, assuring their good applicability to 19F NMR/MRI. The results show that even the Cu(II) ion, with a small magnetic moment, causes significant relaxation enhancement with a long-range effect and can be considered as a highly suitable metal ion for efficient 19F MRI contrast agents.

Polyethylenimine-Coated Ultrasmall Holmium Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxicities, and Water Proton Spin Relaxivities.

Water proton spin relaxivities, colloidal stability, and biocompatibility of nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents depend on surface-coating ligands. In this study, hydrophilic and biocompatible polyethylenimines (PEIs) of different sizes (Mn = 1200 and 60,000 amu) were used as surface-coating ligands for ultrasmall holmium oxide (Ho2O3) nanoparticles. The synthesized PEI1200- and PEI60000-coated ultrasmall Ho2O3 nanoparticles, with an average particle diameter of 2.05 and 1.90 nm, respectively, demonstrated low cellular cytotoxicities, good colloidal stability, and appreciable transverse water proton spin relaxivities (r2) of 13.1 and 9.9 s−1mM−1, respectively, in a 3.0 T MR field with negligible longitudinal water proton spin relaxivities (r1) (i.e., 0.1 s−1mM−1) for both samples. Consequently, for both samples, the dose-dependent contrast changes in the longitudinal (R1) and transverse (R2) relaxation rate map images were negligible and appreciable, respectively, indicating their potential as efficient transverse T2 MRI contrast agents in vitro.

Atomically precise multi-domain GdxFe3−xO4 nanoclusters with modulated contrast properties for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of early orthotopic cancer

The use of multi-domain magnetic iron oxide nanoclusters (MMIONs) as Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent is facing problems of strong ferromagnetism and thus weak T2 contrast ability. The doping of Gd ions holds potential to solve these problems by reducing ferromagnetism and enhancing transverse relaxivity (r2), but the exact role of doping in modulating the contrast properties remain unknown. Herein, we prepared a series of atomically precise GdxFe3−xO4 nanoclusters and systematically explored the effect of Gd doping on tuning their morphology, magnetic property, and r2 value. After the doping of Gd ions, the specific surface area of GdxFe3−xO4 nanoclusters significantly increased, and meanwhile, the magnetic property of GdxFe3-xO4 nanoclusters transformed from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism, which led to stronger T2 contrast. Specifically, the highest r2 value was obtained at 488 mM−1s−1 (7.0 T) for Gd0.072Fe2.928O4 nanocluster, four times higher than that for pristine Fe3O4 (110 mM−1s−1). For potential applications, we validated the outstanding contrast of Gd0.018Fe2.982O4 nanocluster (r2 = 481 mM−1s−1 at 7.0 T) to diagnose early orthotopic cancer in mice. This work opens up a new avenue for the development of atomically precise Gd-doped MMIONs as efficient T2-weighted MRI contrast agents.

AAZTA: The rise of mesocyclic chelating agents for metal coordination in medicine

• AAZTA: an easily synthesised mesocyclic chelating agent. • Paramagnetic AAZTA complexes are studied as efficient MRI contrast agents. • Radioactive AAZTA complexes are evaluated for nuclear medicine applications. • Bifunctional AAZTA derivatives are used to prepare conjugates for diagnostics. The application of metal ions for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is nowadays a well consolidated practice in current medicine. Gd 3+ for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ga 3+ for positron emission tomography (PET), In 3+ for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the β-emitter Lu 3+ for tumour treatment are the most representative examples. Metal ions employed in medicine must be administered as stable and inert metal complexes, mainly for safety reasons and targeting purposes. In the last years many new chelating agents have been designed, prepared and studied in order to improve properties such as thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness, target selectivity and many other characteristics of complexes thereof. The structure of these chelating agents is almost invariably based on linear or macrocyclic backbones. The chelating agent AAZTA (6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepinetetraacetic acid), featuring a mesocyclic 7-membered ring has found steadily increasing attention since its inception in the early 2000s and is now an affirmed alternative for the formation of stable complexes with several metal ions. The scope of this review is to provide the reader with a comprehensive survey on the synthesis and the applications of AAZTA and its derivatives developed in the last two decades.

Synthesis of one-for-all type Cu5FeS4 nanocrystals with improved near infrared photothermal and Fenton effects for simultaneous imaging and therapy of tumor

CuS materials exhibit excellent near infrared (NIR) photoabsorption and photothermal effect, but they are lack of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ability. Fe-based nanomaterials possess MRI capacity, but they usually exhibit poor NIR photoabsorption. In order to solve the above problems, we synthesize three kinds of CuxFeySz samples, including FeS2, CuFeS2 and Cu5FeS4 nanomaterials. With the Cu/Fe ratios increase from 0/1.0 to 1.0/1.0 and 5.0/1.0, the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) characteristic peaks shift to longer wavelength, and the photothermal transduction efficiencies go up from 24.4% to 36.6% and 45.9%. Thus, Cu5FeS4 is found to be the most excellent sample. Especially, Cu5FeS4 exhibits photothermal-enhanced Fenton effect, which can produce hydroxyl radical (·OH) under a wide pH range (e.g., pH = 5.4–7.4) to realize the chemodynamic effect. In addition, Cu5FeS4 can be employed as an efficient MRI contrast agent. When Cu5FeS4 dispersion is intravenously injected into the mouse, the tumor can be detected by MRI as well as thermal imaging, and eliminated through photothermal-enhanced chemodynamic effect. Therefore, Cu5FeS4 can be used as an efficient “one-for-all” type agent for MRI-guided photothermal-enhanced chemodynamic therapy of tumor.

New Class of Efficient T2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent: Carbon-Coated Paramagnetic Dysprosium Oxide Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are considered potential candidates for a new class of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Negative MRI contrast agents require high magnetic moments. However, if nanoparticles can exclusively induce transverse water proton spin relaxation with negligible induction of longitudinal water proton spin relaxation, they may provide negative contrast MR images despite having low magnetic moments, thus acting as an efficient T2 MRI contrast agent. In this study, carbon-coated paramagnetic dysprosium oxide (DYO@C) nanoparticles (core = DYO = DyxOy; shell = carbon) were synthesized to explore their potential as an efficient T2 MRI contrast agent at 3.0 T MR field. Since the core DYO nanoparticles have an appreciable (but not high) magnetic moment that arises from fast 4f-electrons of Dy(III) (6H15/2), the DYO@C nanoparticles exhibited an appreciable transverse water proton spin relaxivity (r2) with a negligible longitudinal water proton spin relaxivity (r1). Consequently, they acted as a very efficient T2 MRI contrast agent, as proven from negative contrast enhancements seen in the in vivo T2 MR images.

Gadolinium-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles as an efficient and safe magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent for articular cartilage injury detection

Accurate detection of cartilage injuries is critical for their proper treatment because these injuries lack the self-healing ability and lead to joint dysfunction. However, the low longitudinal T1 relaxivity (r1) and non-specificity of contrast agents (such as gadolinium(III)-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)) significantly limit the efficiency of clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. To overcome these drawbacks, we integrated hyaluronic acid (HA) with Gd to synthesize a Gd-DTPA-HA composite, which was subsequently freeze-dried to produce nanoparticles (NPs). The resultant Gd-HA NPs demonstrated a greater r1 value (12.51 mM−1 s−1) compared with the bulk Gd-DTPA-HA (8.37 mM−1 s−1) and clinically used Gd-DTPA (3.88 mM−1 s−1). Moreover, the high affinity of HA to the cartilage allowed these NPs to penetrate deeper beyond the cartilage surface. As a result, Gd-HA NPs considerably increased the quality of cartilage and lesion MR images via their intra-articular injection in vivo. Specifically, 2 h after NP administration, the signal-to-noise ratio at the injured cartilage site was 2.3 times greater than the value measured before the injection. In addition, Gd-HA NPs exhibited good biosafety properties due to the absence of adverse effects in the blood or on the main organs. It was also showed that Gd NPs were first metabolized by the kidney and liver and then excreted from the body with urine. Thus, Gd-HA NPs can potentially serve as an efficient MRI contrast agent for improved detection of cartilage injuries.

Magneto-Liposomes as MRI Contrast Agents: A Systematic Study of Different Liposomal Formulations.

The majority of the clinically approved iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs) used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been withdrawn from the market either due to safety concerns or lack of profits. To address this challenge, liposomes have been used to prepare IO-based T2 contrast agents. We studied the influence of different phospholipids on the relaxivity (r2) values of magneto-liposomes (MLs) containing magnetic NPs in the bilayer, where a strong correlation between the bilayer fluidity and r2 is clearly shown. Embedding 5-nm IO NPs in the lipid bilayer leads to a significant improvement in their relaxivity, where r2 values range from 153 ± 5 s−1 mM−1 for DPPC/cholesterol/DSPE-PEG (96/50/4) up to 673 ± 12 s−1 mM−1 for DOPC/DSPE-PEG (96/4), compared to “free” IO NPs with an r2 value of 16 s−1 mM−1, measured at 9.4 T MRI scanner. In vitro MRI measurements, together with the ICP-MS analysis, revealed MLs as highly selective contrast agents that were preferentially taken up by cancerous T24 cells, which led to an improvement in the contrast and an easier distinction between the healthy and the cancerous cells. A careful selection of the lipid bilayer to prepare MLs could offer efficient MRI contrast agents, even at very low IO NP concentrations.

Fluorine and Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon Dot Complexation with Fe(III) as a T1 Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Commercial gadolinium-based materials have been widely used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the high toxicity of leaking free Gd3+ ions still raises biosafety concerns. Here, we develop a novel, safe, and efficient MRI contrast agent based on a stable Fe(III) complex of fluorine and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (F,N-CDs) that was prepared from glucose and levofloxacin by a simple microwave-assisted thermal decomposition method. The obtained Fe3+@F,N-CD complex exhibits higher longitudinal relaxivity ( r1 = 5.79 mM-1·s-1) than that of the control samples of the Fe3+@CD complex ( r1 = 4.23 mM-1 s-1) and free Fe3+ ( r1 = 1.59 mM-1 s-1) in aqueous solution, as assessed by a 1.5 T NMR analyzer. More importantly, the Fe3+@F,N-CD complex is very stable with a large coordination constant of 1.06 × 107 in aqueous medium. While incubated with HeLa cells, the Fe3+@F,N-CD complex shows clear MR images, demonstrating that it has potential to be an excellent MRI contrast agent. Furthermore, in vivo MRI experiments indicate that the Fe3+@F,N-CD complex provides high-resolution MRI pictures of 4T1 tumor bearing BALB/c mice 15 min after injection and can be completely excreted 2 h after administration. No cytotoxicity was observed with F,N-CDs and Fe concentration up to 0.2 mg/mL and 0.3 mM in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cell proliferation assay, respectively. The possible mechanism of the enhanced MRI effect of the Fe3+@F,N-CD complex is therefore proposed. The extremely low toxicity, high r1 relaxivity, strong photoluminescence, and low synthetic cost enable the Fe3+@F,N-CD complex to be a safe and promising T1-weighted MRI contrast agent for clinical applications.

Cross-Linked and Biodegradable Polymeric System as a Safe Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent.

Owing to the low efficacy of clinically used small-molecule gadolinium (Gd)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents, we designed and explored biodegradable macromolecular conjugates as MRI contrast agents. The linear polymeric structure and core-cross-linked formulation possessed different characteristics and features, so we prepared and comparatively studied the two kinds of Gd-based N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) polymeric systems (the core-cross-linked pHPMA-DOTA-Gd and the linear one) using the clinical agent diethylene-triamine pentaacetic acid-Gd(III) (DTPA-Gd) as a control. This study was aimed to find the optimal polymeric formulation as a biocompatible and efficient MRI contrast agent. The high molecular weight (MW, 181 kDa) and core-cross-linked copolymer was obtained via the cross-linked block linear copolymer and could be degraded to low-MW segments (29 kDa) in the presence of glutathione (GSH) and cleaned from the body. Both core-cross-linked and linear pHPMA-DOTA-Gd copolymers displayed 2-3-fold increased relaxivity (r1 value) than that of DTPA-Gd. Animal studies demonstrated that two kinds of macromolecular systems led to much longer blood circulation time, higher tumor accumulation, and much higher signal intensity compared with the linear and clinical ones. Finally, in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies indicated that the two macromolecular agents had great biocompatibility. Therefore, we performed preliminary but important studies on the Gd-based HPMA polymeric systems as biocompatible and efficient MRI contrast agents and found that the biodegradable core-cross-linked pHPMA-DOTA-Gd copolymer might have greater benefits for the foreground.

Gadolinium-Labeled Biodegradable Dendron-Hyaluronic Acid Hybrid and Its Subsequent Application as a Safe and Efficient Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent.

Novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents with high sensitivity and good biocompatibility are required for the diagnosis of cancer. Herein, we prepared and characterized the gadolinium [Gd(III)]-labeled peptide dendron-hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugate-based hybrid (dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd) by combining the advantages of HA and the peptide dendron. The dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd hybrid with 3.8% Gd(III) as weight percentage showed a negative zeta potential (-35 mV). The in vitro degradation results indicated that the dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd hybrid degraded into products with low molecular weights in the presence of hyaluronidase. The dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd hybrid showed a 3-fold increase in longitudinal relaxivity and much higher in vivo signal enhancement in 4T1 breast tumors of mice compared with clinical Magnevist (Gd-DTPA). The dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd hybrid had a higher accumulation in tumors than Gd-DTPA; it was 2-3-fold after administration. Meanwhile, the polymeric hybrid resulted in low Gd(III) residue in the body compared with that of Gd-DTPA. The systematic biosafety evaluations, including blood compatibility and toxicity assessments, suggested that the dendronized-HA-DOTA-Gd hybrid exhibited good biocompatibility. Thus, the gadolinium-labeled and dendronized HA hybrid shows promise as a safe and efficient macromolecular MRI contrast agent based on high sensitivity, low residue content in the body, and good biosafety.

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Paramagnetic complexes of gadolinium(III) with acyclic or macrocyclic chelates are the most commonly used contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their purpose is to enhance the relaxation rate of water protons in tissue, thus increasing the MR image contrast and the specificity of the MRI measurements. Current clinically approved contrast agents are low molecular weight molecules that are rapidly cleared from the body. The use of dendrimers as carriers of paramagnetic chelators can play an important role in the future development of more efficient MRI contrast agents. Specifically, the increase in local concentration of the paramagnetic species results in a higher signal contrast. Furthermore, this CA provides a longer tissue retention time due to its high molecular weight and size. Here, we demonstrate a convenient procedure for the preparation of macromolecular MRI contrast agents based on poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with monomacrocyclic DOTA-type chelators (DOTA - 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate). The chelating unit was appended by exploiting the reactivity of the isothiocyanate (NCS) group towards the amine surface groups of the PAMAM dendrimer to form thiourea bridges. Dendrimeric products were purified and analyzed by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Finally, high resolution MR images were recorded and the signal contrasts obtained from the prepared dendrimeric and the commercially available monomeric agents were compared.

Stimuli-Responsive Biodegradable Hyperbranched Polymer-Gadolinium Conjugates as Efficient and Biocompatible Nanoscale Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents.

The efficacy and biocompatibility of nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents depend on optimal molecular structures and compositions. Gadolinium [Gd(III)] based dendritic macromolecules with well-defined and tunable nanoscale sizes are excellent candidates as multivalent MRI contrast agents. Here, we propose a novel alternate preparation of biodegradable hyperbranched polymer-gadolinium conjugates via a simple strategy and report potentially efficient and biocompatible nanoscale MRI contrast agents for cancer diagnosis. The enzyme-responsive hyperbranched poly(oligo-(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)-gadolinium conjugate (HB-POEGMA-Gd) was prepared via one-step reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and Gd(III) chelating, and the cRGDyK functionalized polymer (HB-POEGMA-cRGD-Gd) was obtained via click chemistry. By using an enzyme similar to lysosomal cathepsin B, hyperbranched conjugates of high molecular weights (MW) (180 and 210 kDa) and nanoscale sizes (38 and 42 nm) were degraded into low MW (25 and 30 kDa) and smaller products (4.8 and 5.2 nm) below the renal threshold. Conjugate-based nanoscale systems had three-fold more T1 relaxivity compared to clinical agent diethylenediaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Gd. Animal studies with the nanoscale system offered greater tumor accumulation and enhanced signal intensity (SI) in mouse U87 tumors of which the greatest activity was conferred by the cRGDyK moiety functionalized hyperbranched conjugate. In vitro cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility and in vivo toxicity studies confirmed no adverse events. This design strategy for multifunctional Gd(III)-labeled biodegradable dendritic macromolecules may have significant potential as future efficient, biocompatible polymeric nanoscale MRI diagnostic contrast agents for cancer.

An enzyme-activatable and cell-permeable MnIII-porphyrin as a highly efficient T1 MRI contrast agent for cell labeling.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a preferred technique for noninvasively monitoring the fate of implanted cells, such as stem cells and immune cells in vivo. Cellular MRI requires contrast agents (CAs) to label the cells of interest. Despite promising progress made in this emerging field, highly sensitive, stable and biocompatible T1 CAs with high cell permeability and specificity remains an unmet challenge. To address this need, a novel MnIII-porphyrin, MnAMP was designed and synthesized based on the modification of MnIIItetra(carboxy-porphyrin) (MnTCP), a small and highly stable non-Gd extracellular CA with good biocompatibility and high T1 relaxivity (r1 = 7.9 mM-1 s-1) at clinical field of 3 Tesla (T). Cell permeability was achieved by masking the polar carboxylates of MnTCP with acetoxymethyl-ester (AM) groups, which are susceptible to hydrolysis by intracellular esterases. The enzymatic cleavage of AM groups led to disaggregation of the hydrophobic MnAMP, releasing activated MnTCP with significant increase in T1 relaxivity. Cell uptake of MnAMP is highly efficient as tested on two non-phagocytic human cell lines with no side effects observed on cell viability. MRI of labeled cells exhibited significant contrast enhancement with a short T1 of 161 ms at 3 T, even though a relatively low concentration of MnAMP and short incubation time was applied for cell labeling. Overall, MnAMP is among the most efficient T1 cell labeling agents developed for cellular MRI.

Novel carbon nanohybrids as highly efficient magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

Novel carbon nanohybrids based on unmodified metallofullerenes have been successfully fabricated for use as a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The nanohybrids showed higher R 1 relaxivity and better brightening effect than Gd@C82(OH) X , in T 1-weighted MR images in vivo. This is a result of the proton relaxivity from the original gadofullerenes, which retained a perfect carbon cage structure and so might completely avoid the release of Gd3+ ions. A “secondary spin-electron transfer” relaxation mechanism was proposed to explain how the encaged Gd3+ ions of carbon nanohybrids interact with the surrounding water molecules. This approach opens new opportunities for developing highly efficient and low toxicity MRI contrast agents.

Ligand-free gadolinium oxide for in vivo T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3), which can be used as a T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, has attracted intense attention in recent years. In this paper, ligand-free monoclinic Gd2O3 nanocrystals of 7.1 nm in diameter are synthesized by a simple and green approach, namely microsecond laser ablation of a gadolinium (Gd) target in deionized water. These nanocrystals obtain high r1 relaxivity of 5.53 s(-1) mM(-1), and their low toxicity was demonstrated by the cell viability of S18 cells and apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells. In vitro and in vivo MR images show these particles to be good T1-weighted MRI contrast agents. Base on the experimental results and theoretical analysis, we suggest that the purity of the Gd2O3 contributes to its high r1 relaxivity value, while the low toxicity is due to its good crystallinity. These findings show that laser ablation in liquid (LAL) is a promising strategy to synthesize ligand-free monoclinic Gd2O3 nanocrystals for use as high efficient T1-weighted MRI contrast agents.

Attaching double chain cationic Gd(iii)-containing surfactants on nanosized colloids for highly efficient MRI contrast agents.

A new Gd(iii)-based metallosurfactant with double quaternary-ammonium-containing long alkyl chains was developed and subjected to the miniemulsion polymerization of vinyl monomers, giving nanosized colloids (50-110 nm) with narrow size distribution. The size of the colloid particles can be easily tuned by adjusting the feeding ratio of metallosurfactant to monomer. SEM and XPS analysis showed that the Gd(iii) complexes were attached on the surface of the colloids. ICP-AES analysis further quantified the contents of Gd(iii) in the miniemulsions. T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that these Gd(iii)-loading colloids exhibited relaxivity of up to 22.77 mM-1 s-1, much higher than that of Ominiscan® (4.64 mM-1 s-1).