title: One-pot synthesis of magnetic nanoclusters enabling atherosclerosis-targeted magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: In this study, dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters (DMNCs) were synthesized using a one-pot solution phase method for detection of atherosclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging. Pyrenyl dextran was used as a surfactant because of its electron-stabilizing effect and its amphiphilic nature, rendering the DMNCs stable and water-dispersible. The DMNCs were 65.6±4.3 nm, had a narrow size distribution, and were superparamagnetic with a high magnetization value of 60.1 emu/g. Further, they showed biocompatibility and high cellular uptake efficiency, as indicated by a strong interaction between dextran and macrophages. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the ability of DMNCs to act as an efficient magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent capable of targeted detection of atherosclerosis. In view of these findings, it is concluded that DMNCs can be used as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents to detect inflammatory disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Aastha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kukreja
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; BioNanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Kyung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byunghoon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yuna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taeksu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Suck
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungjoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D053769:Nanocapsules
keywords: atherosclerosis; dextran; macrophages; magnetic nanocrystal; magnetic resonance imaging