Tumor-Targeted and Clearable Human Protein-Based MRI Nanoprobes

Abstract

Biocompatibility, targeting, and clearance are key challenges in the design of new MRI contrast agents. Herein, we report on a tumor-targeting, gadolinium biomineralized human transferrin (Tf) protein-based nanoparticle (Gd@Tf NP) for MRI use. As compared to the conventionally used gadolinium chelates, the resultant Gd@Tf NPs possess outstanding chemical stability and exhibited superior longitudinal relaxation. More importantly, our MR images show that Gd@Tf indeed retained the natural tumor targeting ability and the subsequent tumor retrieval biofunctions of Tf. Thus, such Tf protein-based MR NPs integrate T1 signal amplification, precise tumor targeting, and systematic clearance capabilities. They offer a new approach to design biocompatible multifunctional MRI contrast agents for a wide range of clinical imaging and treatment applications.

Virus‐Inspired Nanogenes Free from Man‐Made Materials for Host‐Specific Transfection and Bio‐Aided MR Imaging

“…The experimental results indeed verified our assumption. As shown in Figure S6 (Supporting Information), the T 1 relaxation rate ( r 1 ) of Gd/DNA was determined as 13.7 m m −1 s −1 , dramatically higher than that of Magnevist (3–5 m m −1 s −1 ) and ProHance (3.6 m m −1 s −1 ) . The incorporation with CCCM led to the further elevation of r 1 up to 15.9 m m −1 s −1 , as clearly evidenced by the T 1 ‐MR images ( Figure A).…”

Interactions Between Tumor Biology and Targeted Nanoplatforms for Imaging Applications

“…Thus, using Tf itself or anti‐TfR antibodies could be employed to design different targeted theranostic agents for cancer cells. Biocompatible gadolinium biomineralized transferrin NPs (Gd@Tf NPs) were used to enhance T 1 signal amplification for MRI by increasing the tumor targeting ability 115. Interestingly, the T 1 relaxivity of Gd@Tf NPs was much higher than that of Magnevist (a commercial MRI contrast agent), which were measured to be 17.42 m m −1 s −1 and 3–5 m m −1 s −1 , respectively.…”

Targeted Contrast Agents for Molecular MRI

“…Other strategies include the development of macromolecules (usually nanoparticles, the most explored ones being liposomes) that incorporate, within the same unit, a high payload of Gd 3+ ions and a targeting moiety. Gd 3+ containing nanoparticle based CA have been revised elsewhere [4][5][6][7][8].…”