Dextran-coated magnetic nanoclusters as highly sensitive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging of inflammatory macrophages

We fabricated dextran-coated magnetic nanoclusters (Dex-MNCs) for targeted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of inflammatory macrophages. Dex-MNCs were prepared through encapsulation of hydrophobic magnetic nanocrystals (MNCs) by pyrenyl dextran in order that MNCs could achieve increased colloidal stability in aqueous phase as well as strongly interact with macrophages. Dex-MNCs exhibited biocompatibility and sufficient targeting efficiency against macrophages with strengthened MR contrast effect from in vitro/in vivo studies. Considering these results, we confirmed that Dex-MNCs could accurately detect inflammatory macrophage via MR imaging.