Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as versatile ultra-sensitive nanoprobes for cellular and molecular imaging of cancer. In this study, we report a one-step procedure for the surface functionalization of SPIO nanoparticles with a lung cancer-targeting peptide. The hydrophobic surfactants on the as-synthesized SPIO are displaced by the peptide containing a poly(ethylene glycol)-tethered cysteine residue through ligand exchange. The resulting SPIO particles are biocompatible and demonstrate high T2 relaxivity. The nanoprobes are specific in targeting αvβ6-expressing lung cancer cells as demonstrated by MR imaging and Prussian blue staining. This facile surface chemistry and the functional design of the proposed SPIO system may provide a powerful nanoplatform for the molecular diagnosis of lung cancer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 6367-6372 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Materials Chemistry |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 35 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry