Development of biocompatible NaGdF4: Er3+, Yb3+ upconversion nanoparticles used as contrast agents for bio-imaging
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2019
Journal
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
Volume
97
Issue
10
First Page
2678
Last Page
2684
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1002/cjce.23510
Abstract
© 2019 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Upconversion nanoparticles with special fluorescence and magnetic properties have been considered an alternative contrast agent for multiple bio-imaging techniques. It is important to understand the effects of the surface properties and dosage of upconversion nanoparticles on both the magnetic resonance (MRI) image and the photoluminescence spectrum. Here, NaGdF4: Er3+, Yb3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) modified with amine functional group were produced through a one-pot thermal decomposition. The average length of the cubic UCNPs is estimated at 53 ±13 nm. The effect of the dosage of amine modified UCNPs on the MRI image is investigated. The T1 and T2 relaxivities of the amine modified UCNPs in agarose gel at 3 T are r1 = 6.79 ±0.14 and r2 = 17.0 ±0.18 (mmol/L)−1 s−1, which are comparable to the relaxivities of commercially available MRI contrast agents. In addition, the photoluminescence of the amine modified UCNPs at low concentrations < 150 µg/mL are further investigated with the excitation wavelength (λex) at 980 nm. The internalization of the amine modified UCNPs cultured with human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) is observed by the fluorescence imaging. Meanwhile, T1-weighted MRI imaging of HUVEC cells treated with amine modified UCNPs at 10 µg/mL can be obtained. No significant toxic effect on cells is found when the concentration of the amine modified UCNPs is < 300 µg/mL. This study indicates that a low concentration of amine-modified NaGdF4: Er3+, Yb3+ UCNPs can be used as the contrast agent for both fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging.
Notes
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