title: Tumor-specific localization of self-assembled nanoparticle PET/MR modalities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work was to synthesize and study in vitro and in vivo nanocarriers used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that accumulate in tumor cells specifically overexpressing folate receptors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembly of poly-γ-glutamic acid and chitosan biopolymers and were complexed with gadolinium ions. Folic acid served as a targeting molecule. Rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HeDe) cells overexpressing folate receptors were used as a model system. For in vivo experiments, HeDe cells were transplanted under the renal capsule of F344 rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vitro results showed the significant internalization of nanoparticles into HeDe cells. MRI measurements revealed that targeting nanocarriers accumulated in tumors. The MRI/PET fusion images resulted in the exact localization of tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nanocarrier provides a suitable means for the early diagnosis of tumors based on their overexpression of folate receptors.
authors.affiliation: Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1 H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary. Tel/Fax: +36 52412623 vamosig@med.unideb.hu.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hajdu
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trencsényi
authors.forename: Magdolna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodnár
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emri
authors.forename: Gáspár
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bánfalvi
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sikula
authors.forename: Teréz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Márián
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kollár
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vámosi
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borbély
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048271:Chitosan / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C511775:poly(gamma-glutamic acid); D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D048271:Chitosan; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: MRI; PET; contrast agent; gadolinium; in vitro; in vivo; self-assembled nanoparticles