title: Superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters coated with polyethylene glycol fumarate: a possible novel theranostic agent.
abstract: We report cell endocytosis, drug release, NMR relaxometry and in vitro MRI studies on a novel class of superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs) with various biocompatible coatings. It is shown that the transverse relaxivity r2, the parameter representing the MRI efficiency in negative contrast agents, for the PVA-coated, PEGF-coated, and crosslinked PEGF-coated CNCs, is high enough to contrast suitably the magnetic resonance images. The same samples have shown a good ability also in drug releasing (particularly the crosslinked PEGF-coated compound), thus finally allowing us to propose this class of compounds for future applications in theranostics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Sciences Applied to Biosystems, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20134, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Houshang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amiri
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lascialfari
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005650:Fumarates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008422:Materials Testing; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003102:Colloids; D003287:Contrast Media; D005650:Fumarates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols