Yang G, Xia J, Dai X, Zhao H, Gao W, Ding W, Tao X, Zhu L. A Targeted Multi-Crystalline Manganese Oxide as a Tumor-Selective Nano-Sized MRI Contrast Agent for Early and Accurate Diagnosis of Tumors.
Int J Nanomedicine 2024;
19:527-540. [PMID:
38260241 PMCID:
PMC10802178 DOI:
10.2147/ijn.s444061]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for the accurate diagnosis of malignant tumors in clinical settings. However, the lack of tumor-specific MRI contrast agents limits diagnostic accuracy.
Methods
Herein, we developed αv integrin receptor-targeting multi-crystalline manganese oxide (MCMO) as a novel MRI contrast agent for accurate diagnosis of tumors by coupling iRGD cyclopeptide PEGylation polymer onto the surface of MCMO (iRGD-pMCMO).
Results
The MCMO consisted of numerous small crystals and exhibited an oval structure of 200 nm in size. The iRGD-pMCMO actively recognizes tumor cells and effectively accumulates at the tumor site, consequently releasing abundant Mn2+ ions in a weakly acidic and high-GSH-expressing tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, Mn2+ ions interact with cellular GSH to form Mn-GSH chelates, enabling efficient T1-weighted MR contrast imaging. In vivo experiments indicated that iRGD-pMCMO significantly improved T1-weighted images, achieving an accurate diagnosis of subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors. The results verified that the T1 contrast effect of iRGD-pMCMO was closely associated with the expression of GSH in tumor cells.
Conclusion
Altogether, the novel tumor-targeting, highly sensitive MRI contrast agent developed in this study can improve the accuracy of MRI for tumor diagnosis.
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