Sub-10 nm Monoclinic Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ Nanoparticles as Dual-Modal Nanoprobes for Magnetic Resonance and Fluorescence Imaging

Abstract

Monoclinic Gd2O3:Eu(3+) nanoparticles (NPs) possess favorable magnetic and optical properties for biomedical application. However, how to obtain small enough NPs still remains a challenge. Here we combined the standard solid-state reaction with the laser ablation in liquids (LAL) technique to fabricate sub-10 nm monoclinic Gd2O3:Eu(3+) NPs and explained their formation mechanism. The obtained Gd2O3:Eu(3+) NPs exhibit bright red fluorescence emission and can be successfully used as fluorescence probe for cells imaging. In vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies show that the product can also serve as MRI good contrast agent. Then, we systematically investigated the nanotoxicity including cell viability, apoptosis in vitro, as well as the immunotoxicity and pharmacokinetics assays in vivo. This investigation provides a platform for the fabrication of ultrafine monoclinic Gd2O3:Eu(3+) NPs and evaluation of their efficiency and safety in preclinical application.

FITC-Dextran entrapped and silica coated gadolinium oxide nanoparticles for synchronous optical and magnetic resonance imaging applications

“…Various studies have demonstrated that nano materials, like Gd2O3, can be used as highly sensitive CAs [6][7][8]. Gd2O3 based NPs have a high density of paramagnetic gadolinium ions in a small volume and enhanced surface to volume ratio which results in a high relaxivity [9][10][11].…”

Magnetic and fluorescent Gd₂O₃:Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺ nanoparticles for simultaneous upconversion luminescence/MR dual modal imaging and NIR-induced photodynamic therapy

“…32 Our recent work has focused on the synthesis and development of ultra-small (sub-10 nm) lanthanide-doped Gd 2 O 3 nanoparticles for MR/fluorescence dual-modal imaging. [33][34][35][36] However, to the best of our knowledge, the ability of lanthanide-doped Gd 2 O 3 UCNs for theranostics application, which combines the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, has not previously been reported. In this contribution, the aim was to synthesis magnetic and fluorescent lanthanide-doped Gd 2 O 3 UCNs and simultaneously achieve MR/UCL dual-modal imaging and PDT.…”

Process Chain for the Fabrication of Nanoparticle Polymer Composites by Laser Ablation Synthesis

“…This coexistence of properties can be used for imaging techniques such as multimodal SERS-MRI-CT [62]. It is also possible to combine magnetic resonance and fluorescence properties for dual-modal imaging agents [79,80]. For this purpose, Gd 2 O 3 , the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, can be doped with Eu 3+ [79] or Tb 3+ [80] as a fluorescence-emitting center.…”

“…It is also possible to combine magnetic resonance and fluorescence properties for dual-modal imaging agents [79,80]. For this purpose, Gd 2 O 3 , the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, can be doped with Eu 3+ [79] or Tb 3+ [80] as a fluorescence-emitting center. Doping is easily carried out by mixing both oxide powders, their milling, target pressing, and sintering [79].…”