Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
05:51
A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
Published on: March 17, 2023
1.9K
Alkyl Chain Appended Fe(III) Catecholate Complex as a Dual-Modal T1 MRI-NIR Fluorescence Imaging Agent via Second
Maheshwaran Duraiyarasu1, S Senthil Kumaran2, Ramasamy Mayilmurugan1
1Department of Chemistry, and Department of Bioscience & Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Raipur, Chattisgarh 492015, India.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|May 4, 2023
Summary
A new dual-modal imaging probe, Fe(C12CAT)3, combines T1-MRI and optical imaging. It effectively visualizes acidic environments in cells, showing potential for advanced diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Developing dual-modal imaging probes is crucial for enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
- Iron(III) complexes offer potential for T1-MRI contrast agents.
- Catecholate ligands provide stable coordination environments for metal ions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel Fe(III) catecholate complex, Fe(C12CAT)3, for dual-modal T1-MRI and optical imaging.
- To evaluate its performance as an imaging probe, particularly in acidic environments.
- To investigate its self-assembly properties and potential for targeted imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of the Fe(III) catecholate complex.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) for structural optimization.
- Relaxivity measurements at varying temperatures and pH.
- Fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering for aggregation studies.
- Cell viability assays.
Main Results:
- Fe(C12CAT)3 exhibits dual-modal T1-MRI and optical imaging capabilities.
- The complex shows pH-dependent fluorescence, turning 'on' in acidic conditions.
- High relaxivity values were observed, further enhanced by interaction with human serum albumin.
- Self-assembly with IR780 dye forms spherical aggregates with a hydrodynamic diameter of 189.5 nm.
- The probe demonstrates MRI ON and fluorescence OFF under physiological conditions, and MRI ON/fluorescence ON under acidic pH.
- Cell viability experiments indicate good biocompatibility at relevant concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Fe(C12CAT)3 is a promising dual-modal imaging probe for visualizing acidic cellular environments.
- Its pH-responsive self-assembly and imaging properties make it suitable for targeted diagnostics.
- The probe's stability and biocompatibility support its potential clinical translation.
