AS1411 aptamer-conjugated Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles for target-specific computed tomography/magnetic resonance/fluorescence molecular imaging
Journal
Nano Research
Journal Volume
7
Journal Issue
5
Pages
658-669
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Europium-doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3:Eu) nanoparticles have been synthesized, and then their surfaces have been conjugated with nucleolintargeted AS1411 aptamer to form functionalized target-specific Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles (A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles). The A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles present strong fluorescence in the visible range, high magnetic susceptibility, X-ray attenuation and good biocompatibility. The A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles have been applied to test molecular expression of nucleolin highly expressed CL1-5 lung cancer cells under a confocal microscope. Fluorescence imaging clearly reveals that the nanoparticles can be applied as fluorescent tags for cancer-targeting molecular imaging. Furthermore, taking together their excellent T 1 contrast and strong computed tomography (CT) signal, the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles demonstrate a great capability for use as a dual modality contrast agent for CT and magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging. Animal experiments also show that the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles are able to contrast the tissues of BALB/c mice using CT modality. Moreover, the obvious red fluorescence of A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles can be visualized in a tumor by the naked eye. Overall, our results demonstrate that the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles can not only serve as new medical contrast agents but also as intraoperative fluorescence imaging probes for guided surgery in the near future. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] ? 2014 Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Subjects
aptamer; contrast agent; molecular imaging; nanoparticles synthesis
SDGs
Publisher
Tsinghua University Press
Type
journal article