1. Targeted T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Enhancement with Extraordinarily Small CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles
- Author
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Piché, D, Tavernaro, I, Fleddermann, J, Lozano, J, Varambhia, A, Maguire, M, Koch, M, Ukai, T, Rodríguez, A, Jones, L, Dillon, F, Molina, I, Mitzutani, M, Dalmau, E, Maekawa, T, Nellist, P, Kraegeloh, A, and Grobert, N
- Subjects
ligand exchange ,T1-weighted contrast agent ,liver targeting ,one-pot synthesis ,magnetic resonance imaging ,cytotoxicity ,ultrasmall nanoparticles ,cobalt ferrite nanoparticles ,Research Article - Abstract
Extraordinarily small (2.4 nm) cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (ESCIoNs) were synthesized by a one-pot thermal decomposition approach to study their potential as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Fine size control was achieved using oleylamine alone, and annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed highly crystalline cubic spinel particles with atomic resolution. Ligand exchange with dimercaptosuccinic acid rendered the particles stable in physiological conditions with a hydrodynamic diameter of 12 nm. The particles displayed superparamagnetic properties and a low r2/r1 ratio suitable for a T1 contrast agent. The particles were functionalized with bile acid, which improved biocompatibility by significant reduction of reactive oxygen species generation and is a first step toward liver-targeted T1 MRI. Our study demonstrates the potential of ESCIoNs as T1 MRI contrast agents.
- Published
- 2019