Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks for Multispectral Radioluminescent Imaging

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Lanthanide-based nanoscale metal-frameworks (nMOFs) are emerging materials with unique optical properties.
• Optical molecular imaging techniques require novel platforms with specific luminescence characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the X-ray luminescent properties of lanthanide nMOFs.
• To evaluate their potential as platforms for X-ray excited radioluminescence (RL) imaging.
• To assess the biocompatibility and stability of surface-modified nMOFs for biological applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of two lanthanide-based nMOFs.
• Evaluation of X-ray induced luminescence spectra (visible to near-infrared).
• Surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance aqueous stability.
• In vitro assessment of cyto- and hemo-compatibility.

Main Results:

• The nMOFs exhibited sharp, tunable emission peaks upon X-ray irradiation (∼400-700 nm).
• Emission characteristics were dependent on the specific lanthanide ions (Eu, Tb, or Eu/Tb).
• PEGylated nMOFs demonstrated improved aqueous stability and were found to be cyto- and hemo-compatible.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to report and investigate the radioluminescent properties of lanthanide nMOFs.
• The nMOFs display promising radioluminescent properties and low in vitro toxicity.
• These findings suggest nMOFs are strong candidates for in vivo translation in optical molecular imaging.