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Published on: January 5, 2015
Customizable, multi-functional fluorocarbon nanoparticles for quantitative in vivo imaging using 19F MRI and optical
Mangala Srinivas1, Luis J Cruz, Fernando Bonetto
1Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Biomaterials
|June 23, 2010
Summary
We developed novel polymer-encapsulated nanoparticles for fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track cells noninvasively. This technology enables precise cell quantification and monitoring in vivo for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Noninvasive in vivo cell tracking is crucial for advancing cellular therapies, drug delivery, and disease understanding.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key modality for in vivo monitoring, with fluorine-19 MRI offering high specificity and quantification without ionizing radiation.
- Existing (19)F labeling agents often form unstable emulsions unsuitable for long-term storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop stable, customizable nanoparticles for (19)F MRI cell tracking.
- To overcome limitations of current (19)F labeling compounds.
- To demonstrate the versatility of these nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and cell labeling.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized monodisperse nanoparticles by encapsulating (19)F compounds within poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), a clinically approved polymer.
- Customized nanoparticle properties including size, surface charge, and payload (imaging agent, fluorescent dye, drug).
- Functionalized nanoparticles with antibodies and fluorescent dyes to demonstrate modularity and multimodal imaging capabilities (MRI and fluorescence).
Main Results:
- Developed stable nanoparticles suitable for 37°C and frozen storage, unlike traditional (19)F emulsions.
- Demonstrated nanoparticle adaptability for multimodal imaging, focusing on MRI and fluorescence.
- Successfully imaged primary human dendritic cells labeled with the developed nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- Polymer-encapsulated nanoparticles provide a stable and versatile platform for (19)F MRI cell tracking.
- This technology enhances the potential for noninvasive monitoring of cellular therapeutics and disease progression.
- The modular design allows for customization for various imaging and therapeutic applications.
