A highly effective, nontoxic T1 MR contrast agent based on ultrasmall PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles.
In this study we systematically developed a potential MR T(1) contrast agent based on very small PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles. We adjusted the size of the crystalline core providing suitable relaxometric properties. In addition, a dense and optimized PEG coating provides high stability under physiological conditions together with low cytotoxicity and low nonspecific phagocytosis into macrophage cells as a part of the reticulo endothelial system at biologically relevant concentrations. The as developed contrast agent has the lowest r(2)/r(1) ratio (2.4) at 1.41 T reported so far for PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles as well as a r(1) relaxivity (7.3 mM(-1) s(-1)) that is two times higher compared to that of Magnevist as a typical T(1) contrast agent based on gadolinium as a clinical standard.
Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany. ulrich.tromsdorf@chemie.uni-hamburg.de
Ulrich I
UI
Tromsdorf
Oliver T
OT
Bruns
Sunhild C
SC
Salmen
Ulrike
U
Beisiegel
Horst
H
Weller
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols