title: Biofunctionalized prussian blue nanoparticles for multimodal molecular imaging applications.
abstract: Multimodal, molecular imaging allows the visualization of biological processes at cellular, subcellular, and molecular-level resolutions using multiple, complementary imaging techniques. These imaging agents facilitate the real-time assessment of pathways and mechanisms in vivo, which enhance both diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. This article presents the protocol for the synthesis of biofunctionalized Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs)--a novel class of agents for use in multimodal, molecular imaging applications. The imaging modalities incorporated in the nanoparticles, fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have complementary features. The PB NPs possess a core-shell design where gadolinium and manganese ions incorporated within the interstitial spaces of the PB lattice generate MRI contrast, both in T1 and T2-weighted sequences. The PB NPs are coated with fluorescent avidin using electrostatic self-assembly, which enables fluorescence imaging. The avidin-coated nanoparticles are modified with biotinylated ligands that confer molecular targeting capabilities to the nanoparticles. The stability and toxicity of the nanoparticles are measured, as well as their MRI relaxivities. The multimodal, molecular imaging capabilities of these biofunctionalized PB NPs are then demonstrated by using them for fluorescence imaging and molecular MRI in vitro.
authors.affiliation: The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center; Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vojtech
authors.affiliation: The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center; Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cano-Mejia
authors.affiliation: The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center.
authors.forename: Matthieu F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.affiliation: The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center; Department of Radiology, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Raymond W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sze
authors.affiliation: The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Medical Center; Department of Radiology, George Washington University; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University; RFernand@childrensnational.org.
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D005295:Ferrocyanides / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D005295:Ferrocyanides; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008345:Manganese; D005682:Gadolinium; C000170:ferric ferrocyanide