Fluorescent activatable gadofullerene nanoprobes as NIR-MR dual-modal in vivo imaging contrast agent

Publication date: 1 November 2018Source: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Volume 171Author(s): Cheng Li, Huan Huang, Rongli Cui, Juan Li, Xihong Guo, Huanli Yao, Bing Liu, Binggang Xu, Ying Li, Shuaichao Liu, Jinquan Dong, Gengmei Xing, Baoyun SunAbstractDual mode imaging technology is widely developed to achieve the early-stage precision cancer diagnosis. Here we designed a dual-modal magnetic resonance/near infrared fluorescence optical imaging contrast agent (GdF-SS-NIR783) with the fluorescence activatable and safer gadofullerene. The nanoprobes were fabricated by conjugating the gadofullerene derivatives with a NIR fluorescence imaging agent (NIR783) via the disulfide bond. The obtained nanoprobes showed no fluorescence (OFF), but the fluorescence turned on when incubated within reduction environment such as GSH solution. The clear fluorescence signal in tumor site was observed obviously after their intratumor injection. The nanoprobes also revealed efficient MRI contrast enhancement both in vitro and in vivo. And they showed good biocompatibility and did not demonstrate any tissue toxicity in vivo. This work gave the new possibility in designing more efficient and safer nanoprobes for future medical diagnoses.Graphical AbstractFluorescent activatable gadofullerene nanoprobes as new NIR-MR dual-modal imaging contrast for in vivo imaging.
Source: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research