Lanthanide-DTPA grafted silica nanoparticles as bimodal-imaging contrast agents

Novel Scintillating Nanoparticles for Potential Application in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

The development of X-ray-absorbing scintillating nanoparticles is of high interest for solving the short penetration depth problem of visible and infrared light in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thus, these nanoparticles are considered a promising treatment for several types of cancer. Herein, gadolinium oxide nanoparticles doped with europium ions (Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺) were obtained by using polyvinyl alcohol as a capping agent. Hybrid silica nanoparticles decorated with europium-doped gadolinium oxide (SiO₂-Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺) were also prepared through the impregnation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were structurally characterized and tested to analyze their biocompatibility. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the high crystallinity and purity of the Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ particles and the homogeneous distribution of nanostructured rare earth oxides throughout the fumed silica matrix for SiO₂-Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺. Both nanoparticles displayed stable negative ζ-potentials. The photoluminescence properties of the materials were obtained using a Xe lamp as an excitation source, and they exhibited characteristic Eu³⁺ bands, including at 610 nm, which is the most intense transition band of this ion. Cytotoxicity studies on mouse glioblastoma GL261 cells indicated that these materials appear to be nontoxic from 10 to 500 μg·mL^-1 and show a small reduction in viability in non-tumor cell lines. All these findings demonstrate their possible use as alternative materials in PDT.

Design and Synthesis of Luminescent Lanthanide-Based Bimodal Nanoprobes for Dual Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Optical Imaging

Current biomedical imaging techniques are crucial for the diagnosis of various diseases. Each imaging technique uses specific probes that, although each one has its own merits, do not encompass all the functionalities required for comprehensive imaging (sensitivity, non-invasiveness, etc.). Bimodal imaging methods are therefore rapidly becoming an important topic in advanced healthcare. This bimodality can be achieved by successive image acquisitions involving different and independent probes, one for each mode, with the risk of artifacts. It can be also achieved simultaneously by using a single probe combining a complete set of physical and chemical characteristics, in order to record complementary views of the same biological object at the same time. In this scenario, and focusing on bimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging (OI), probes can be engineered by the attachment, more or less covalently, of a contrast agent (CA) to an organic or inorganic dye, or by designing single objects containing both the optical emitter and MRI-active dipole. If in the first type of system, there is frequent concern that at some point the dye may dissociate from the magnetic dipole, it may not in the second type. This review aims to present a summary of current activity relating to this kind of dual probes, with a special emphasis on lanthanide-based luminescent nano-objects.

Luminescent Mesoporous Silica Nanohybrid Based on Drug Derivative Terbium Complex

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles prepared by organic template-driven synthesis have been successfully explored as carriers of the drug-derivate green luminescent complex of terbium (III) with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen. The terbium (III) complex was synthesized by reacting ketoprofen sodium salt with terbium (III) chloride, which was further adsorbed onto the surface of mesoporous nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 47 ± 4 nm and pore size of 11 nm. The incorporation of the complex into mesoporous silica nanoparticles was tracked by the decrease in the surface area and pore size of the nanoparticles, and successfully demonstrated by substantial changes in the adsorption isotherms and thermal and vibrational spectroscopy results. The cytotoxicity assay and confocal microscopy have shown that the novel luminescent nanohybrid presents high cell viability and the characteristic terbium (III) emission can be assessed through two-photon excitation, which paves the way for bioimaging applications in nanomedicine.

Gd-Si Oxide Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We describe the synthesis, characterization and application as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging of a novel type of magnetic nanoparticle based on Gd-Si oxide, which presents high Gd3+ atom density. For this purpose, we have used a Prussian Blue analogue as the sacrificial template by reacting with soluble silicate, obtaining particles with nanorod morphology and of small size (75 nm). These nanoparticles present good biocompatibility and higher longitudinal and transversal relaxivity values than commercial Gd3+ solutions, which significantly improves the sensitivity of in vivo magnetic resonance images.

Research into europium complexes as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (Review)

Europium (Eu) is a paramagnetic lanthanide element that possesses an outstanding luminescent property. Eu complexes are ideal fluorescence imaging (FI) agents. Eu²⁺ has satisfactory relaxivity and optical properties, and can realize magnetic resonance (MRI)-FI dual imaging applications when used with appropriate cryptands that render it oxidatively stable. By contrast, based on the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) mechanism, Eu³⁺ complexes can provide enhanced MRI sensitivity when used with optimal cryptands, incorporated into polymeric CEST agents or blended with Gd³⁺. Eu complexes are promising in MRI-FI dual imaging applications and have a bright future.