title: Silver nanoplate contrast agents for in vivo molecular photoacoustic imaging.
abstract: Silver nanoplates are introduced as a new photoacoustic contrast agent that can be easily functionalized for molecular photoacoustic imaging in vivo. Methods are described for synthesis, functionalization, and stabilization of silver nanoplates using biocompatible ("green") reagents. Directional antibody conjugation to the nanoplate surface is presented along with proof of molecular sensitivity in vitro with pancreatic cancer cells. Cell viability tests show the antibody-conjugated silver nanoplates to be nontoxic at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, the silver nanoplates' potential for in vivo application as a molecularly sensitive photoacoustic contrast agent is demonstrated using an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Results of these studies suggest that the synthesized silver nanoplates are well suited for a host of biomedical imaging and sensing applications.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station C0800, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Homan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Truby
authors.forename: Geoffrey P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vreeland
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emelianov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D012834:Silver