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Published on: July 16, 2018
Renal Clearable Peptide Functionalized NaGdF4 Nanodots for High-Efficiency Tracking Orthotopic Colorectal Tumor in
Hongda Chen1,2, Xiaodong Li3, Fuyao Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun 130022, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The effective delivery of bioimaging probes to a selected cancerous tissue has extensive significance for biological studies and clinical investigations. Herein, the peptide functionalized NaGdF4 nanodots (termed as, pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots) have been prepared for highly efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor by formation of Gd-phosphonate coordinate bonds among hydrophobic NaGdF4 nanodots (4.2 nm in diameter) with mixed phosphorylated peptide ligands including a tumor targeting phosphopeptide and a cell penetrating phosphopeptide. The tumor targeting pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots have paramagnetic property with ultrasmall hydrodynamic diameter (HD, c.a., 7.3 nm) which greatly improves their MRI contrast ability of tumor and facilitates renal clearance. In detail, the capability of the pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots as high efficient contrast agent for in vivo MRI is evaluated successfully through tracking small drug induced orthotopic colorectal tumor (c.a., 195 mm3 in volume) in mouse.
Insights
Researchers developed peptide-functionalized sodium gadolinium fluoride nanodots (pPeptide-NaGdF4) for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors. These nanodots improve tumor contrast and facilitate clearance, showing promise for preclinical cancer detection.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Effective delivery of bioimaging probes to cancerous tissue is crucial for research and clinical applications.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) requires efficient contrast agents for accurate tumor visualization.
- Developing targeted nanoprobes can improve diagnostic capabilities in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare peptide-functionalized NaGdF4 nanodots (pPeptide-NaGdF4) for highly efficient tumor MRI.
- To evaluate the in vivo MRI contrast ability and clearance of these novel nanodots.
- To demonstrate the utility of pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots in tracking small tumors in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized hydrophobic NaGdF4 nanodots (4.2 nm) and functionalized them with mixed phosphorylated peptide ligands.
- Incorporated a tumor-targeting phosphopeptide and a cell-penetrating phosphopeptide via Gd-phosphonate coordinate bonds.
- Characterized the pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots for their paramagnetic properties and hydrodynamic diameter (HD).
- Evaluated the nanodots' performance as contrast agents in vivo using a drug-induced orthotopic colorectal tumor mouse model.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared pPeptide-NaGdF4 nanodots with an ultrasmall hydrodynamic diameter (ca. 7.3 nm).
- Demonstrated enhanced MRI contrast ability for tumors.
- Observed improved renal clearance due to the ultrasmall HD.
- Successfully tracked small orthotopic colorectal tumors (ca. 195 mm3) in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Peptide-functionalized NaGdF4 nanodots serve as highly efficient MRI contrast agents for tumors.
- The ultrasmall size and targeting peptides contribute to improved tumor imaging and biodistribution.
- These nanodots show significant potential for preclinical cancer diagnosis and research.
