title: Long-circulating Gd(2)O(3):Yb(3+), Er(3+) up-conversion nanoprobes as high-performance contrast agents for multi-modality imaging.
abstract: Due to their unique electric, magnetic, and optical properties, engineered nanostructures have been applied to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, as well as prognostic information about the status of disease. In this study, we report a multifunctional nanoprobe based on PEGylated Gd(2)O(3):Yb(3+), Er(3+) nanorods (denoted as PEG-UCNPs) for in vivo up-conversion luminescence (UCL), T(1)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR), and X-ray computed tomography (CT) multi-modality imaging. A facile and large-scale hydrothermal system combining the merits of an in situ thermal decomposition method and a surface-modified approach is introduced to construct high-quality PEG-UCNPs. By grafting PEG molecules on the surface of PEG-UCNPs, the nanostructures possess excellent stability against in vivo environment and hold long blood circulation time. Cell-cytotoxicity assay, hemolyticity, as well as post-injection histology, hematology, and inflammation analysis further demonstrate their non-cytotoxic character and indicate further in vivo application. In detail, the capability of PEG-UCNPs as high-performance contrast agents for UCL/MR/CT imaging is evaluated successfully through small-animal experiments. Additionally, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and clearance route are studied after intravenous injection in a mouse model, reflecting their overall safety.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resources Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: Sa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Qinghai
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jinsong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Xiaogang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003287:Contrast Media; D004871:Erbium; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D049329:Nanostructures; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015018:Ytterbium
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C030581:gadolinium oxide; D004871:Erbium; D005682:Gadolinium; D015018:Ytterbium