Calcium-dependent molecular fMRI using a magnetic nanosensor

Satoshi Okada, Benjamin B. Bartelle, Nan Li, Vincent Breton-Provencher, Jiyoung J. Lee, Elisenda Rodriguez, James Melican, Mriganka Sur, Alan Jasanoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Calcium ions are ubiquitous signalling molecules in all multicellular organisms, where they mediate diverse aspects of intracellular and extracellular communication over widely varying temporal and spatial scales 1. Though techniques to map calcium-related activity at a high resolution by optical means are well established, there is currently no reliable method to measure calcium dynamics over large volumes in intact tissue 2. Here, we address this need by introducing a family of magnetic calcium-responsive nanoparticles (MaCaReNas) that can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MaCaReNas respond within seconds to [Ca2+] changes in the 0.1-1.0 mM range, suitable for monitoring extracellular calcium signalling processes in the brain. We show that the probes permit the repeated detection of brain activation in response to diverse stimuli in vivo. MaCaReNas thus provide a tool for calcium-activity mapping in deep tissue and offer a precedent for the development of further nanoparticle-based sensors for dynamic molecular imaging with MRI.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)473-477
Number of pages5
JournalNature Nanotechnology
Volume13
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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