title: Synthesis and characterization of core-shell star copolymers for in vivo PET imaging applications.
abstract: The synthesis of core-shell star copolymers via living free radical polymerization provides a convenient route to three-dimensional nanostructures having a poly(ethylene glycol) outer shell, a hydrophilic inner shell bearing reactive functional groups, and a central hydrophobic core. By starting with well-defined linear diblock copolymers, the thickness of each layer, overall size/molecular weight, and the number of internal reactive functional groups can be controlled accurately, permitting detailed structure/performance information to be obtained. Functionalization of these polymeric nanoparticles with a DOTA-ligand capable of chelating radioactive (64)Cu nuclei enabled the biodistribution and in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of these materials to be studied and correlated directly to the initial structure. Results indicate that nanoparticles with increasing PEG shell thickness show increased blood circulation and low accumulation in excretory organs, suggesting application as in vivo carriers for imaging, targeting, and therapeutic groups.
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukukawa
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossin
authors.forename: Aviv
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hagooly
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Pressly
authors.forename: Jasmine N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Messmore
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wooley
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hawker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013499:Surface Properties; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D011108:Polymers; C071349:1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols