Article Title

AS1411 aptamer-conjugated Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles for target-specific computed tomography/magnetic resonance/fluorescence molecular imaging

Authors

Tsungrong Kuo, Department of Chemistry, “National Taiwan Normal University”, Taipei 116, Taiwan, China Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, “Academia Sinica”, Taipei 106, Taiwan, China
Weiyun Lai, Molecular Medicine Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, “Academia Sinica”, Taipei 115, Taiwan, China Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, “National Yang-Ming University”, Taipei 112, Taiwan, China
Chenghung Li, Department of Chemistry, “National Taiwan Normal University”, Taipei 116, Taiwan, China
Yanjhan Wun, Department of Chemistry, “National Taiwan Normal University”, Taipei 116, Taiwan, China
Huancheng Chang, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, “Academia Sinica”, Taipei 106, Taiwan, China
Jinnshiun Chen, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, China
Panchyr Yang, College of Medicine, “National Taiwan University”, Taipei 106, Taiwan, China
Chiachun Chen, Department of Chemistry, “National Taiwan Normal University”, Taipei 116, Taiwan, China Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, “Academia Sinica”, Taipei 106, Taiwan, China

Keywords

aptamer, contrast agent, Gd2O3 nanoparticles, molecular imaging, nanoparticles synthesis

Abstract

Europium-doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3:Eu) nanoparticles have been synthesized, and then their surfaces have been conjugated with nucleolintargeted AS1411 aptamer to form functionalized target-specific Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles (A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles). The A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles present strong fluorescence in the visible range, high magnetic susceptibility, X-ray attenuation and good biocompatibility. The A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles have been applied to test molecular expression of nucleolin highly expressed CL1-5 lung cancer cells under a confocal microscope. Fluorescence imaging clearly reveals that the nanoparticles can be applied as fluorescent tags for cancer-targeting molecular imaging. Furthermore, taking together their excellent T1 contrast and strong computed tomography (CT) signal, the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles demonstrate a great capability for use as a dual modality contrast agent for CT and magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging. Animal experiments also show that the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles are able to contrast the tissues of BALB/c mice using CT modality. Moreover, the obvious red fluorescence of A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles can be visualized in a tumor by the naked eye. Overall, our results demonstrate that the A-GdO:Eu nanoparticles can not only serve as new medical contrast agents but also as intraoperative fluorescence imaging probes for guided surgery in the near future.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-014-0420-4

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Tsungrong Kuo,Weiyun Lai,Chenghung Li,Yanjhan Wun,Huancheng Chang,Jinnshiun Chen,Panchyr Yang,Chiachun Chen, AS1411 aptamer-conjugated Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles for target-specific computed tomography/magnetic resonance/fluorescence molecular imaging. NanoRes.2014, 7(5): 658–669