In vivo hepatocyte MR imaging using lactose functionalized magnetoliposomes.

The aim of this study was to assess a novel lactose functionalized magnetoliposomes (MLs) as an MR contrast agent to target hepatocytes as well as to evaluate the targeting ability of MLs for in vivo applications. In the present work, 17 nm sized iron oxide cores functionalized with anionic MLs bearing lactose moieties were used for targeting the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-r), which is highly expressed in hepatocytes. Non-functionalized anionic MLs were tested as negative controls.

Magnetically triggered clustering of biotinylated iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of streptavidinylated enzymes.

This work deals with the production and characterization of water-compatible, iron oxide based nanoparticles covered with functional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-biotin surface groups (SPIO-PEG-biotin). Synthesis of the functionalized colloids occurred by incubating the oleate coated particles used as precursor magnetic fluid with anionic liposomes containing 14 mol% of a phospholipid-PEG-biotin conjugate. The latter was prepared by coupling dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DC(14:0)PE) to activated α-biotinylamido-ω -N-hydroxy-succinimidcarbonyl-PEG (NHS-PEG-biotin).

Fluorescent magnetoliposomes as a platform technology for functional and molecular MR and optical imaging.

Here, we present a detailed characterisation of rhodamine B-containing magnetoliposomes (FLU-ML), emphasising the dependence of their fluorescence properties on the presence of iron oxide cores, and the molar fraction of the fluorophore. The magnetoliposome types used exist as colloidally stable, negatively charged clusters with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 95 nm. The molar rhodamine B fractions were 0.

Investigation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for MR-visualization of surgical implants.

For the development of a surgical mesh implant that is visible in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs) are integrated into the material of the mesh. In order to get a high quality mesh regarding both mechanical and imaging properties, a narrow size distribution and homogenous spatial distribution, as well as a strong magnetization of SPIOs within the filament of the mesh are required. In this work, six different samples of SPIOs composed of a magnetite core are synthesized with and without stabilizing dodecanoic acid and analyzed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a magnetic force microscope (MFM) to determine the properties that are beneficial for the assembly and imaging of the implant.

Polyelectrolyte coating of iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-based cell tracking.

Unlabelled: Iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer unique properties for cell tracking by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cellular immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated the uptake of chemically engineered NPs into antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are expected to perceive MNPs as foreign antigens, thus exhibiting the capability to immunologically sense MNP surface chemistry.