An Integrated Multifunctional Nanoplatform for Deep-Tissue Dual-Mode Imaging

abstract

The combination of biocompatible superparamagnetic and photoluminescent nanoparticles (NPs) is intensively studied as highly promising multifunctional (magnetic confinement and targeting, imaging, etc.) tools in biomedical applications. However, most of these hybrid NPs exhibit low signal contrast and shallow tissue penetration for optical imaging due to tissue-induced optical extinction and autofluorescence, since in many cases, their photoluminescent components emit in the visible spectral range. Yet, the search for multifunctional NPs suitable for high photoluminescence signal-to-noise ratio, deep-tissue imaging is still ongoing. Herein, a biocompatible core/shell/shell sandwich structured Fe3O4@SiO2@NaYF4:Nd3+ nanoplatform possessing excellent superparamagnetic and near-infrared (excitation) to near-infrared (emission), i.e., NIR-to-NIR photoluminescence properties is developed. They can be rapidly magnetically confined, allowing the NIR photoluminescence signal to be detected through a tissue as thick as 13 mm, accompanied by high T-2 relaxivity in magnetic resonance imaging. The fact that both the excitation and emission wavelengths of these NPs are in the optically transparent biological windows, along with excellent photostability, fast magnetic response, significant T-2-contrast enhancement, and negligible cytotoxicity, makes them extremely promising for use in high-resolution, deep-tissue dual-mode (optical and magnetic resonance) in vivo imaging and magnetic-driven applications.

keywords

2ND BIOLOGICAL WINDOW; UP-CONVERSION LUMINESCENT; IN-VIVO; PHOTOTHERMAL THERAPY; NANOPARTICLE PROBES; MAGNETIC-RESONANCE; DRUG-DELIVERY; QUANTUM DOTS; FLUORESCENCE; NANOCRYSTALS

subject category

Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science; Physics

authors

Yang, F; Skripka, A; Benayas, A; Dong, XK; Hong, SH; Ren, FQ; Oh, JK; Liu, XY; Vetrone, F; Ma, DL

our authors

Groups

acknowledgements

F.Y. and F.R. greatly appreciate the financial support from the Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students from the Ministere de l'Education, du Loisir et du Sport du Quebec. The authors would like to thank J. Xu from Soochow University for the help with MR imaging. The authors acknowledge Z. Yang from Peking University for the magnetic characterization. D.M. and F.V. are grateful to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Fonds de Recherche du Quebec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT) for funding. D.M. also appreciates the financial support of the strategic network "Le Centre quebecois sur les materiaux fonctionnels."

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