Glucan Particles Loaded with Fluorinated Emulsions: A Sensitivity Improvement for the Visualization of Phagocytic Cells by ¹⁹F-MRI

Abstract

A protocol to load perfluoro-crown-ether (PFCE) nanoemulsion directly into yeast-derived glucan particles (GPs) was developed. It was observed that the PFCE encapsulation did not affect the 19 F-MRI properties of the nanoemulsion that is currently in clinical trials. GPs loaded with PFCE nanoemulsion were taken up avidly by murine macrophages in vitro, resulting in a cellular uptake 150 % higher than the not GPs-entrapped nanoemulsion. Accordingly, a corresponding improvement in the 19 F-MRI detection of the labelled cells can be obtained. The high biotolerability and versatility of GPs, makes these microcarriers a promising option for designing of improved in vivo cellular imaging protocols.

Binding and Release of FeIII Complexes from Glucan Particles for the Delivery of T1 MRI Contrast Agents

“…Glucan particles were prepared as described. 3,6,7 Briefly, Saccharomyces cerevisiae of the Sigma1278b strain background was used. 37 The specific strain (PC538) is a typical wild-type (WT) strain with the following genotype: MATa ste4 FUS1-HIS3 FUS1-lacZ ura3-52, 38 and was used for all experiments in the study.…”

“…Targeting of macrophages has potential for delivering drugs to sites of inflammation that are characteristic of disease states including cancer or atherosclerosis. 3,4 In order to identify inflammation for diagnostic purposes, encapsulation of an imaging agent may permit tracking of the GP carrier. For example, dyes have been encapsulated in GPs to enable fluorescence imaging of the particles.…”

“…5,6 There is also recent interest in using GPs as nature-inspired microcarriers for delivering MRI contrast agents that specifically target macrophages. 3,[5][6][7][8] The delivery of both drugs and imaging agents would facilitate the development of theranostic applications of GPs. However, incorporation of low molecular weight drugs or imaging agents for delivery is complicated by the negative charge and porous nature of GPs.…”

Novel albendazole-glucan particles for enhancing intestinal absorption and improving hepatic targeting

“…Studies have shown that the GPs can effectively prevent enzymatic digestion and the immune clearance of the drug carrier when the drug reaches the target tissue/cell ( 51 ). Thus, the GPs enhance the stability of the drug delivery system and reduce the accumulation of drugs in the blood circulation ( 52 ).…”