Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Europium(III) DO3A as a Bimodal Imaging Probe

Chemistry. 2016 Mar 18;22(13):4521-7. doi: 10.1002/chem.201504731. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

Abstract

A new prototype consisting of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles decorated with europium(III) ions encapsulated in a DO3A organic scaffold was designed as a platform for further development of bimodal contrast agents for MRI and optical imaging. The USPIO nanoparticles act as negative MRI contrast agents, whereas the europium(III) ion is a luminophore that is suitable for use in optical imaging detection. The functionalized USPIO nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, DLS, XRD, FTIR, and TXRF analysis, and a full investigation of the relaxometric and optical properties was conducted. The typical luminescence emission of europium(III) was observed and the main red emission wavelength was found at 614 nm. The relaxometric study of these ultrasmall nanoparticles showed r2 values of 114.8 mM(-1) Fes(-1) at 60 MHz, which is nearly double the r2 relaxivity of Sinerem(®).

Keywords: dyes/pigments; lanthanides; luminescence; magnetic properties; nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media / chemistry*
  • Dextrans / chemistry*
  • Europium / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Luminescence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Dextrans
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • ferumoxtran-10
  • ferric oxide
  • Europium