Polycatechol Nanoparticle MRI Contrast Agents

Yiwen Li, Yuran Huang, Zhao Wang, Fabio Carniato, Yijun Xie, Joseph P. Patterson, Matthew P. Thompson, Christopher M. Andolina, Treffly B. Ditri, Jill E. Millstone, Joshua S. Figueroa, Jeffrey D. Rinehart, Miriam Scadeng, Mauro Botta, Nathan C. Gianneschi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers containing FeIII-catecholate complexes formulated as spherical- or cylindrical-shaped micellar nanoparticles (SMN and CMN, respectively) are described as new T 1-weighted agents with high relaxivity, low cytotoxicity, and long-term stability in biological fluids. Relaxivities of both SMN and CMN exceed those of established gadolinium chelates across a wide range of magnetic field strengths. Interestingly, shape-dependent behavior is observed in terms of the particles' interactions with HeLa cells, with CMN exhibiting enhanced uptake and contrast via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with SMN. These results suggest that control over soft nanoparticle shape will provide an avenue for optimization of particle-based contrast agents as biodiagnostics. The polycatechol nanoparticles are proposed as suitable for preclinical investigations into their viability as gadolinium-free, safe, and effective imaging agents for MRI contrast enhancement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)668-677
Number of pages10
JournalSmall
Volume12
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 3 2016

Keywords

  • contrast agents relaxivity
  • melanin
  • micelles
  • polycatechols

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Biotechnology
  • General Materials Science
  • Biomaterials

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Polycatechol Nanoparticle MRI Contrast Agents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this