(Janos Bolyai Research Fellowship) Funder: MTA Bolyai pályázat
(BIOImaging Excellence Programme at Semmelweis University)
The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a Prussian Blue based biocompatible
and chemically stable T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with near
infrared (NIR) optical contrast for preclinical application. The physical properties
of the Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) (iron (II); iron (III);octadecacyanide)
were characterized with dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement,
atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro
contrast enhancement properties of PBNPs were determined by MRI. In vivo T1-weighted
contrast of the prepared PBNPs was investigated by MRI and optical imaging modality
after intravenous administration into NMRI-Foxn1 nu/nu mice. The biodistribution studies
showed the presence of PBNPs predominantly in the cardiovascular system. Briefly,
in this paper we show a novel approach for the synthesis of PBNPs with enhanced iron
content for T1 MRI contrast. This newly synthetized PBNP platform could lead to a
new diagnostic agent, replacing the currently used Gadolinium based substances.
