Effect of BSA Protein on the Contrast Properties of Magnetite Nanoparticles during MRI

Abstract

The aim of the study was to establish whether there is a significant change in the MRI contrast of magnetite nanoparticles, after BSA protein binding on the surface of particles. The rationale is the applicability of this feature in clinical practice for the tracking of specific proteins which are often associated with various pathologies. Contrast agents could bind to this specific marker, with the change in MRI contrast indicating the presence of pathology. We found that changes in relative contrast acquired at low-field MRI offer potential for the differentiation of magnetite nanoparticles with and without BSA protein. However, the variations in the transverse relaxation time (T2) and transverse relaxivity (r2), acquired at high-field MRI, were too small to be applicable for biomedical applications.

MRI Relaxivity Changes of the Magnetic Nanoparticles Induced by Different Amino Acid Coatings

“…Magnetic moments of MNPs shorten the relaxation time of the surrounding water protons, increasing such tissue relaxivity, and causing so-called hypointensive artefacts [4]. In addition, the protein-NP complex affects the coupling mechanism of protons' and NPs' magnetic moments, changing the final MRI contrast [8]. Such a change, if detectable, may provide information on the pathology in a non-invasive manner, through simple targeting and binding to the protein biomarker characteristic for the disease.…”