Protein nanoparticles in molecular, cellular, and tissue imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials
• Protein and Virus-Based Structures
• Diagnostic Tools
• In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Background:

• Traditional nanoparticles for bioimaging face challenges including poor solubility, genotoxicity, and systemic toxicity.
• Developing versatile and biocompatible nanocarriers is crucial for advancing molecular, cellular, and tissue imaging.
• Protein nanoparticles (PNPs) emerge as a promising class of nanocarriers with desirable properties for bioimaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advancements and potential of protein nanoparticles (PNPs) as ideal nanocarriers for bioimaging.
• To highlight the unique advantages of PNPs, including aqueous solubility, minimal cytotoxicity, and multi-cargo loading.
• To explore the diverse applications of PNPs in various imaging modalities and disease targets.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on protein nanoparticles (PNPs) for bioimaging applications.
• Analysis of PNP properties such as solubility, cytotoxicity, surface-functionalization, and cargo loading.
• Compilation of PNP applications across different imaging techniques (NIRF, MRI, CT, PET, SPECT, US, PA) and diseases.

Main Results:

• PNPs exhibit high aqueous solubility, low cytotoxicity, and capacity for multi-cargo loading.
• Surface functionalization of PNPs enhances targeting specificity and reduces systemic toxicity.
• PNPs have been successfully applied in imaging various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and brain structures.

Conclusions:

• Protein nanoparticles (PNPs) represent a versatile and biocompatible platform for next-generation bioimaging.
• Further research into engineering PNPs offers significant opportunities for developing advanced diagnostic tools.
• PNPs hold great potential for theranostic applications, combining imaging and therapeutic functionalities.