Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging
The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nano-contrast agents (nano-CAs) has increasingly attracted scholarly interest owing to their size, surface chemistry, and stability. Herein, a novel T1 nano-CA (Gd(DTPA)−GQDs) was successfully prepared through the functionalization of graphene quan...
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/5/2363 |
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| author | Zhongtao Li Guiqiang Qi Guangyue Shi Meng Zhang Haifeng Hu Liguo Hao |
| author_facet | Zhongtao Li Guiqiang Qi Guangyue Shi Meng Zhang Haifeng Hu Liguo Hao |
| author_sort | Zhongtao Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nano-contrast agents (nano-CAs) has increasingly attracted scholarly interest owing to their size, surface chemistry, and stability. Herein, a novel T1 nano-CA (Gd(DTPA)−GQDs) was successfully prepared through the functionalization of graphene quantum dots with poly(ethylene glycol) bis(amine) and their subsequent incorporation into Gd-DTPA. Remarkably, the resultant as-prepared nano-CA displayed an exceptionally high longitudinal proton relaxivity (r<sub>1</sub>) of 10.90 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.998), which was significantly higher than that of commercial Gd-DTPA (4.18 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.996). The cytotoxicity studies indicated that the Gd(DTPA)−GQDs were not cytotoxic by themselves. The results of the hemolysis assay and the in vivo safety evaluation demonstrate the outstanding biocompatibility of Gd(DTPA)−GQDs. The in vivo MRI study provides evidence that Gd(DTPA)−GQDs exhibit exceptional performance as T1-CAs. This research constitutes a viable approach for the development of multiple potential nano-CAs with high-performance MR imaging capabilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:16:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a777885e87b645a5be0a082babec10b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:16:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-a777885e87b645a5be0a082babec10b72023-11-17T08:15:39ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492023-03-01285236310.3390/molecules28052363Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical ImagingZhongtao Li0Guiqiang Qi1Guangyue Shi2Meng Zhang3Haifeng Hu4Liguo Hao5Department of Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Technology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaDepartment of Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Technology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaDepartment of Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Technology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaAnimal Laboratory Center, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaDepartment of MRI, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaDepartment of Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Technology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, ChinaThe application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nano-contrast agents (nano-CAs) has increasingly attracted scholarly interest owing to their size, surface chemistry, and stability. Herein, a novel T1 nano-CA (Gd(DTPA)−GQDs) was successfully prepared through the functionalization of graphene quantum dots with poly(ethylene glycol) bis(amine) and their subsequent incorporation into Gd-DTPA. Remarkably, the resultant as-prepared nano-CA displayed an exceptionally high longitudinal proton relaxivity (r<sub>1</sub>) of 10.90 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.998), which was significantly higher than that of commercial Gd-DTPA (4.18 mM<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.996). The cytotoxicity studies indicated that the Gd(DTPA)−GQDs were not cytotoxic by themselves. The results of the hemolysis assay and the in vivo safety evaluation demonstrate the outstanding biocompatibility of Gd(DTPA)−GQDs. The in vivo MRI study provides evidence that Gd(DTPA)−GQDs exhibit exceptional performance as T1-CAs. This research constitutes a viable approach for the development of multiple potential nano-CAs with high-performance MR imaging capabilities.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/5/2363graphene quantum dotsmagnetic resonance imaginggadoliniumenhanced relaxivity |
| spellingShingle | Zhongtao Li Guiqiang Qi Guangyue Shi Meng Zhang Haifeng Hu Liguo Hao Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging Molecules graphene quantum dots magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium enhanced relaxivity |
| title | Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging |
| title_full | Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging |
| title_fullStr | Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging |
| title_short | Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots as a Magnetic Resonance Signal Amplifier for Biomedical Imaging |
| title_sort | engineered graphene quantum dots as a magnetic resonance signal amplifier for biomedical imaging |
| topic | graphene quantum dots magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium enhanced relaxivity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/5/2363 |
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