PEGylated Magnetic Nano-Assemblies as Contrast Agents for Effective T2-Weighted MR Imaging

• Main Authors: Byunghoon Kang, Jaewoo Lim, Hye-young Son, Yuna Choi, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung, Yong-Min Huh, Seungjoo Haam, Eun-Kyung Lim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: Magnetic resonance image; PEGylated; Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid); contrast agent
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/9/3/410

We designed a high-sensitivity magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent that could be used to diagnose diseases. First, magnetic nanocrystals were synthesized by a thermal decomposition method on an organic solvent to obtain a high magnetism and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) as an amphiphilic polymer using the ring-opening polymerization method to stably disperse the magnetic nanocrystals in an aqueous phase. Subsequently, the magnetic nanoclusters simultaneously self-assembled with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) using the nano-emulsion method to form magnetic nanoclusters. Because their shape was similar to a raspberry, they were named PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies. The PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies were dispersed stably in the aqueous phase with a uniform size of approximately 65–70 nm for an extended period (0 days: 68.8 ± 5.1 nm, 33 days: 69.2 ± 2.0 nm, and 44 days: 63.2 ± 5.6). They exhibited both enough of a magnetic resonance (MR) contrast effect and biocompatibility. In an in vivo study, the PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies provided a high contrast effect for magnetic resonance images for a long time after one treatment, thereby improving the diagnostic visibility of the disease site.