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Gadolinium‐modulated 19 F signals from perfluorocarbon nanoparticles as a new strategy for molecular imaging
Author(s) -
Neubauer Anne M.,
Myerson Jacob,
Caruthers Shelton D.,
Hockett Franklin D.,
Winter Patrick M.,
Chen Junjie,
Gaffney Patrick J.,
Robertson J. David,
Lanza Gregory M.,
Wickline Samuel A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.21750
Subject(s) - gadolinium , relaxation (psychology) , nanoparticle , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance , molecular imaging , chemistry , voxel , t2 relaxation , signal (programming language) , magnetic nanoparticles , materials science , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , physics , in vivo , computer science , chromatography , medicine , psychology , social psychology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence , biology , radiology , programming language
Recent advances in the design of fluorinated nanoparticles for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have enabled specific detection of 19 F nuclei, providing unique and quantifiable spectral signatures. However, a pressing need for signal enhancement exists because the total 19 F in imaging voxels is often limited. By directly incorporating a relaxation agent, gadolinium (Gd), into the lipid monolayer that surrounds the perfluorocarbon (PFC), a marked augmentation of the 19 F signal from 200‐nm nanoparticles was achieved. This design increases the magnetic relaxation rate of the 19 F nuclei fourfold at 1.5 T and effects a 125% increase in signal—an effect that is maintained when they are targeted to human plasma clots. By varying the surface concentration of Gd, the relaxation effect can be quantitatively modulated to tailor particle properties. This novel strategy dramatically improves the sensitivity and range of 19 F MRI/MRS and forms the basis for designing contrast agents capable of sensing their surface chemistry. Magn Reson Med 60:1066–1072, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.