title: Paramagnetic nanoparticle T1 and T2 MRI contrast agents.
abstract: There is no doubt that magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (MRI CAs) can play a vital role in diagnosing diseases. Therefore, demand for new MRI CAs with an enhanced sensitivity and advanced functionalities is very high. Here, paramagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are reviewed as new potential candidates for either T(1) or T(2) MRI CAs or both. These include surface coated lanthanide (Ln) oxide NPs (Ln = Gd, Dy, and Ho) and manganese oxide NPs. Surface coating materials should be biocompatible and hydrophilic. Compared to conventional large NPs, these surface coated paramagnetic NPs can be made ultrasmall with core particle diameter ranging from 1 to 3 nm, but their magnetic properties are still sufficient for MRI CAs. At this particle diameter, they can be easily excreted from the body through the renal system, which is prerequisite for in vivo applications. Mixed lanthanide oxide NPs into which a fluorescent Ln material is incorporated will be valuable as multiple imaging agents for both MRI-fluorescent imaging (FI) and MRI-cellular imaging (CL). These paramagnetic NPs can be further functionalized towards target-specific imaging, multiplex imaging, and drug delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Taegu 702-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Wenlong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kattel
authors.forename: Ja Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yongmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tae Jeong
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gang Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements / Q000737:chemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D010087:Oxides; C027424:manganese oxide