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. 2014 May 21:9:2489-98.
doi: 10.2147/IJN.S55525. eCollection 2014.

One-pot synthesis of magnetic nanoclusters enabling atherosclerosis-targeted magnetic resonance imaging

Aastha Kukreja  1 , Eun-Kyung Lim  2 , Byunghoon Kang  1 , Yuna Choi  3 , Taeksu Lee  1 , Jin-Suck Suh  4 , Yong-Min Huh  4 , Seungjoo Haam  5
Affiliations

One-pot synthesis of magnetic nanoclusters enabling atherosclerosis-targeted magnetic resonance imaging

Aastha Kukreja et al. Int J Nanomedicine. .

Abstract

In this study, dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters (DMNCs) were synthesized using a one-pot solution phase method for detection of atherosclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging. Pyrenyl dextran was used as a surfactant because of its electron-stabilizing effect and its amphiphilic nature, rendering the DMNCs stable and water-dispersible. The DMNCs were 65.6±4.3 nm, had a narrow size distribution, and were superparamagnetic with a high magnetization value of 60.1 emu/g. Further, they showed biocompatibility and high cellular uptake efficiency, as indicated by a strong interaction between dextran and macrophages. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the ability of DMNCs to act as an efficient magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent capable of targeted detection of atherosclerosis. In view of these findings, it is concluded that DMNCs can be used as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents to detect inflammatory disease.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; dextran; macrophages; magnetic nanocrystal; magnetic resonance imaging.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the synthesis of DMNCs enabling atherosclerosis-targeted MR imaging. Abbreviations: DMNCs, dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters; MR, magnetic resonance.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Transmission electron microscopic image and (B) scanning electron microscopic image of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Average size of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters in various concentrations of FBS 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%. Abbreviation: FBS, fetal bovine serum.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Thermogravimetric analysis, (B) X-ray diffraction patterns of magnetic nanoclusters (black) and dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters (red). (C) Magnetic hysteresis loops of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters at 273 K, and (D) elemental composition of the surface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) T2-weighted MR images and (B) relaxivity (R2) graph of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters at various concentrations. Abbreviation: MR, magnetic resonance.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Viability of RAW264.7 cells treated with various concentrations of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Prussian blue-stained microscopic images of RAW264.7 cells treated without and with dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters. Abbreviations: NT, nontreated; T, treated.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Transmission electron microscopic images of RAW264.7 cells treated with dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters.
Figure 9
Figure 9
(A) In vivo magnetic resonance images before and after injection of dextran-encrusted magnetic nanoclusters, (B) relaxivity (R2, red circle) and ΔR2/R2Pre (%, gray bar) graph (before: pre-injection and after: post-injection), and (C) histological staining images of the common carotid artery; (i) Mason’s trichrome image and (ii) Prussian blue-stained image. The images on the right indicate the dashed quadrangle section of the entire image at high magnification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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