International Journal of Nanomedicine (Dec 2019)
A Combinatorial Approach for the Fabrication of Magneto-Optical Hybrid Nanoparticles
Abstract
Dmitry S Koktysh,1,2 Wellington Pham3–5 1Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; 2Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; 3Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; 4Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; 5Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USACorrespondence: Dmitry S KoktyshDepartment of Chemistry, Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University Station B 351822, Nashville, TN 37235-1822, USATel +1615 343-6763Email [email protected] PhamInstitute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1161, 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-2310, USATel +1615 936-7621Email [email protected]: The increasing demands for better resolution combined with anatomical information in biomedical imaging necessitate the development of multimodal contrast agents. In this respect, the multivalency of nanotechnology enables the integration of nanomaterials with distinct biophysical properties into a unique probe, capable to exert superior imaging characterstics through synergistic enhancement unmatched by any single modality.Materials and methods: Novel magneto-optical hybrid nanoparticles (MOHNPs), comprise semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) tethered on the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) NPs, were synthesized using a combinatorial approach. The semiconductor components utilized for the synthesis of the hybrid NPs contained cadmium-free QDs, which were stabilized by a variety of functional ligands including thiols, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and amphiphilic polymers. While SPIO NPs were further modified with silica or PEI on the outermost layer. The main mechanism to assemble semiconductor QDs onto the SPIO NPs employed a core-shell approach, in which covalent bonding and electrostatic interaction held the components together.Results: The versatility of the NP assembling mechanism described in this work offered a robust and flexible fabrication of MOHNPs. A proof-of-concept study demonstrated desterous coating of folic acid onto the surface of MOHNPs to create a targeted imaging probe. The emission of the resulted hybrid NPs extended in the near-infrared region, suitable for in vivo applications.Conclusion: This novel assembling technology offers far-reaching capabilities to generate complex multimodal nanoiamging probes.Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, imaging agents, hybrid nanoparticles
