title: Design of functionalized gold nanoparticle probes for computed tomography imaging.
abstract: The development of new molecules able to efficiently act as long-circulating computed tomography (CT) contrast agents is one of the most crucial topics in the biomedical field. In the last years, the chance to manipulate materials at the nano-size level gave new boost to this research, with the specific aim to design innovative nanoprobes. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have showed unique X-rays attenuation properties which, combined with their easy surface functionalization, makes them ideal candidates for the next generation of contrast agents. In this paper, we present a rational and facile approach to synthesize engineered and water-stable AuNPs, achieving concentrated colloidal solution with high Hounsfield Units (HU). An accurate control of reagents ratio allowed us to design AuNPs with different shapes, from symmetrical to anisotropic morphology, in a convenient 'one-pot' fashion. Their activity as efficient and reliable CT contrast agents has been evaluated and compared. Moreover, glucosamine-functionalized gold nanoparticles have been developed ([Au] = 31.20 mg/mL; HU = 2453), in order to obtain a CT contrast agent able to combine spatial resolution with metabolic information. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISTM, Nanotechnology Lab., Via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138, Milan, Italy.|Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Via C. Golgi 19, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zambelli
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISTM, Nanotechnology Lab., Via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900, Monza, Italy. giacomo.bellani1@unimib.it.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellani
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISTM, Nanotechnology Lab., Via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138, Milan, Italy. laura.polito@istm.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015195:Drug Design; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D015335:Molecular Probes; D006046:Gold; D005944:Glucosamine
keywords: X-ray contrast agents; gold nanoparticles; micro-CT; surface modifications