Targeted in vivo imaging of microscopic tumors with ferritin-based nanoprobes across biological barriers

Adv Mater. 2014 Apr 23;26(16):2566-71. doi: 10.1002/adma.201304544. Epub 2014 Feb 14.

Abstract

The avascular microscopic breast and brain tumors (<1-2 mm diameter) can be noninvasively detected by designing human heavy-chain ferritin (HFn)-based nanoparticles as molecular probes for near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging. The intravenously injected HFn-based nano-particles (Cy5.5-HFn and M-HFn) can cross the endothelium, epithelium, and blood-brain barriers and be internalized into tumor cells.

Keywords: biological barrier; ferritin; iron oxide nanoparticles; molecular imaging; tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Carbocyanines / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Contrast Media / chemistry
  • Contrast Media / metabolism*
  • Ferritins / chemistry
  • Ferritins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*

Substances

  • CY5.5 cyanine dye
  • Carbocyanines
  • Contrast Media
  • Ferritins