title: Lymph node mapping using quantum dot-labeled polymersomes.
abstract: The present study was designed to investigate whether poly-ion complex hollow vesicles (polymersomes), based on chemically-modified chitosan, are appropriate for lymph node mapping in the context of their application in the development of theranostic nanosized drug delivery systems (nano-DDS). The experiments were performed on Balb/c nude mice (colon cancer-grafted). The mice were subjected to anesthesia and quantum dot (QD(705))-labeled polymersomes (d-120 nm) were injected intravenously via the tail vein. The optical imaging was carried out on Maestro EX Imaging System (excitation filter: 435-480 nm; emission filter: 700 nm). A strong fluorescent signal, corresponding to QD(705) fluorescence, was detected in the lymph nodes, as well as in the tumor. A very weak fluorescent signal was found in the liver area. The half-life of QD(705)-labelled polymersomes was 6 ± 2 hours in the bloodstream and 11 ± 3 hours in the lymph nodes. The data suggest that polymersomes are very promising carriers for lymph node mapping using QD as a contrast agent. They are useful matrix for development of nano-formulations with theranostic capabilities.
authors.forename: Rumiana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bakalova
authors.forename: Zhivko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhelev
authors.forename: Biliana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nikolova
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Desislava
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lazarova
authors.forename: Iana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsoneva
authors.forename: Ichio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aoki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D003287:Contrast Media; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D000068936:Theranostic Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003287:Contrast Media; D053769:Nanocapsules; D048271:Chitosan