title: Tantalum oxide nanoparticles for the imaging of articular cartilage using X-ray computed tomography: visualization of ex vivo/in vivo murine tibia and ex vivo human index finger cartilage.
abstract: The synthesis and characterization of tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) nanoparticles (NPs) as new X-ray contrast media for microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging of articular cartilage are reported. NPs, approximately 5-10 nm in size, and possessing distinct surface charges, were synthesized using phosphonate (neutral), ammonium (cationic), and carboxylate (anionic) ligands as end functional groups. Assessment of a cartilage defect in a human cadaver distal metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint with the ammonium nanoparticles showed good visualization of damage and preferential uptake in areas surrounding the defect. Finally, an optimized nontoxic cationic NP contrast agent was evaluated in an in vivo murine model and the cartilage was imaged. These nanoparticles represent a new type of contrast agent for imaging articular cartilage, and the results demonstrate the importance of surface charge in the design of nanoparticulate agents for targeting the surface or interior zones of articular cartilage.
authors: Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry, and Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University, Boston, MA 02115 (USA) http://people.bu.edu/mgrin/
authors: Jonathan D
authors: JD
authors: Freedman
authors: Hrvoje
authors: H
authors: Lusic
authors: Brian D
authors: BD
authors: Snyder
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Grinstaff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular; D003287:Contrast Media; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013635:Tantalum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010087:Oxides; D013635:Tantalum; C078151:tantalum oxide
keywords: X-ray contrast media; cartilage; imaging; nanoparticles