title: Gadolinium embedded iron oxide nanoclusters as T1-T2 dual-modal MRI-visible vectors for safe and efficient siRNA delivery.
abstract: This report illustrates a new strategy of designing a T1-T2 dual-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible vector for siRNA delivery and MRI. Hydrophobic gadolinium embedded iron oxide (GdIO) nanocrystals are self-assembled into nanoclusters in the water phase with the help of stearic acid modified low molecular weight polyethylenimine (stPEI). The resulting water-dispersible GdIO-stPEI nanoclusters possess good stability, monodispersity with narrow size distribution and competitive T1-T2 dual-modal MR imaging properties. The nanocomposite system is capable of binding and delivering siRNA for knockdown of a gene of interest while maintaining its magnetic properties and biocompatibility. This new gadolinium embedded iron oxide nanocluster provides an important platform for safe and efficient gene delivery with non-invasive T1-T2 dual-modal MRI monitoring capability.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yunxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Jinhao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xianzhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaoyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C000499:ferric oxide; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D005682:Gadolinium