(1) Background. The main goal of this work was to develop a fluorescent dye-labelling technique for our previously described nanosized platform, citrate-coated Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles (PBNPs). In addition, characteristics and stability of the PB nanoparticles labelled with fluorescent dyes were determined. (2) Methods. We adsorbed the fluorescent dyes Eosin Y and Rhodamine B and methylene blue (MB) to PB-nanoparticle systems. The physicochemical properties of these fluorescent dye-labeled PBNPs (iron(II);iron(III);octadecacyanide) were determined using atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transformation infrared spectroscopy. A methylene-blue (MB) labelled, polyethylene-glycol stabilized PBNP platform was selected for further assessment of in vivo distribution and fluorescent imaging after intravenous administration in mice. (3) Results. The MB-labelled particles emitted a strong fluorescent signal at 662 nm. We found that the fluorescent light emission and steric stabilization made this PBNP-MB particle platform applicable for in vivo optical imaging. (4) Conclusion. We successfully produced a fluorescent and stable, Prussian blue-based nanosystem. The particles can be used as a platform for imaging contrast enhancement. In vivo stability and biodistribution studies revealed new aspects of the use of PBNPs.
Keywords: Prussian blue nanoparticles; biocompatible; fluorescent imaging; optical imaging.