Radioluminescent nanophosphors enable multiplexed small-animal imaging

Abstract

We demonstrate the ability to image multiple nanoparticle-based contrast agents simultaneously using a nanophosphor platform excited by either radiopharmaceutical or X-ray irradiation. These radioluminescent nanoparticles emit optical light at unique wavelengths depending on their lanthanide dopant, enabling multiplexed imaging. This study demonstrates the separation of two distinct nanophosphor contrast agents in gelatin phantoms with a recovered phosphor separation correlation of −0.98. The ability to distinguish the two nanophosphors and a Cerenkov component is then demonstrated in a small animal phantom. Combined with the high-resolution potential of low-scattering X-ray excitation, this imaging technique may be a promising method to probe molecular processes in living organisms.

Cerenkov radiation: a multi-functional approach for biological sciences

“…Since the spectrum of CR is very wide, it not only excites the QDs but also could excite much more fluorophores. For example, CL internal excites radioluminescent nanophosphors (RLNPs, Ba 0.55 Y 0.3 F 2 :Tb 3+ , and Ba 0.55 Y 0.3 F 2 :Eu 3+ ) for animal fluorescence imaging [66]. This provided a novel CL excited fluorescence OI method.…”

Nanophosphor Coatings: Technology and Applications, Opportunities and Challenges

“…There is still 'plenty of room' spanning all possible excitation sources and all conceivable dimensions of the nanophosphor screens-starting from single nanoparticles excited by X-rays, as in recently published X-ray luminescence computed tomography (Cong et al, 2011;Carpenter et al, 2012), and ending with macroscopic volumes excited by infrared radiation, as in solid-state 3D displays (Downing et al, 1996 …”

Performance evaluation of endoscopic Cerenkov luminescence imaging system: in vitro and pseudotumor studies

“…Therefore, in this study, a nude mouse with a subcutaneous pseudotumor was used to validate the linearity and sensitivity of the ECLI system in the superficial biological tissue. The pseudotumor animal model was applied according to the description of previous studies [17][18][19]. Animal care and protocols were approved by the Fourth Military Medical University Animal Studies Committee.…”