Gold nanoparticle-incorporated human red blood cells (RBCs) for X-ray dynamic imaging

Time-resolved dynamic imaging of bio-fluids can provide valuable information for clinical diagnosis and treatment of circulatory disorders. Quantitative information on non-transparent blood flows can be directly obtained by particle-tracing dynamic X-ray imaging, which needs better spatial resolution and enhanced image contrast compared to static imaging. For that use, tracer particles tagging along the flow streams are critically required. In this study, taking the advantage of high X-ray absorption, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are incorporated into human red blood cells (RBC) to produce contrast-enhanced tracers designed for dynamic X-ray imaging of blood flows. RBCs are advantageous tracers for blood flow measurements since they are natural and primary components of blood. The loading efficiency of AuNPs into RBCs is investigated in terms of the surface properties of the AuNPs. The AuNP-incorporated RBC provides a potential in the dynamic X-ray imaging of blood flows which can be used for clinical applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.