A study of Gd loaded silica nanoparticles for both optical and magnetic resonance imaging of cells

We have developed fluorescent nanoparticle-based T-1 contrast enhancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents, for the purpose of dual imaging in vivo. Gd(III) chelated silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized with dual-mode diagnostics feasibility in MRI and fluorescence imaging analysis. Gd-chelated silica nanoparticles were studied, which were formed via polyelectrolyte encapping methods. A 9.4T micro-image instrument was used to investigate the T-1 contrast enhancement effects of the Gd-chelated silica nanoparticles. The resulting Gd chelated nanoparticles were used in cell tracking and bio-distribution experiments with dual mode imaging of A549 lung cancer cells and mouse models. These Gd-silica nanoparticles are promising dual mode materials, functioning as T-1 MRI contrast agents and organ specific contrast agents. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.