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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Biofunctionalized Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Multimodal Molecular Imaging Applications
Published on: April 28, 2015
Advanced protein-embedded bimetallic nanocomposite optimized for in vivo fluorescence and magnetic resonance bimodal
Radek Ostruszka1, Aminadav Halili2, Tomáš Pluháček3
1Department of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, tř. 17. listopadu 12, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Hypothesis:
The development of bimodal imaging probes represents a hot topic of current research. Herein, we deal with developing an innovative bimodal contrast agent enabling fluorescence imaging (FI)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, simultaneously, consisting of biocompatible nanostructures. Optimized synthesis of advanced protein-embedded bimetallic (APEBM) nanocomposite containing luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNC) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), suitable for in vivo dual-modal FI/MR imaging is reported.
Experiments:
The APEBM nanocomposite was prepared by a specific sequential one-pot green synthetic approach that is optimized to increase metals (Au, Fe) content and, consequently, the imaging ability of the resulting nanostructures. The protein matrix, represented by serum albumin, was intentionally chosen, and used since it creates an efficient protein corona for both types of optically/magnetically-susceptible nanostructures (AuNC, SPION) and ensures biocompatibility of the resulting APEBM nanocomposite although it contains elevated metal concentrations (approx. 1 mg·mL-1 of Au, around 0.3 mg·mL-1 of Fe). In vitro and in vivo imaging was performed.
Findings:
Successful in vivo FI and MRI recorded in healthy mice corroborated the applicability of the APEBM nanocomposite and, simultaneously, served as a proof of concept concerning the potential future exploitation of this new FI/MRI bimodal contrast agent in preclinical and clinical practice.
