Autor(es):
Gonçalves, C. 
; Lalatonne, Y. ; Melro, L. ; Badino, G. ; Ferreira, M. F. M. ; David, L. ; Geraldes, C. F. G. C. ; Motte, L. ; Martins, J. A. ; Gama, F. M.
Data: 2013
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10316/25650
Origem: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
Descrição
This study aims at the production and characterization of a “nanomagnetogel” consisting of
superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (g-Fe2O3) stabilized within a hydrophobized-dextrin
nanogel. The nanomagnetogel obtained was extensively characterized with respect to physico-chemical
(transmission electron microscopy, cryo-scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, small
angle X-ray scattering), magnetic (relaxometry, MIAplex) and biocompatibility (interaction with cells)
properties. The obtained nanomagnetogel formulation, with about 4 mM of iron and a diameter of
100 nm, presents relevant features as a promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent,
noteworthy superparamagnetic behavior, high stability, narrow size distribution and potential for
magnetic guidance to target areas by means of an external magnetic field. High values of transverse
relaxivity make the nanomagnetogel a promising T2 contrast agent, allowing enhanced lesion
detectability through magnetic resonance imaging. The nanomagnetogel demonstrated non-toxicity for
3T3 fibroblast cultures and was efficiently internalized by bone marrow-derived macrophages, therefore
having potential as a contrast agent for MRI of the organs associated with the reticuloendothelial
system (spleen, liver). The production of the nanomagnetogel is simple and easy to scale up, thus
offering great technological potential. The authors thank the Magnisense Corporation for providing a
MIAplex reader and CFGCG the EU COST TD1004 Action
“Theragnostics Imaging and Therapy”. The authors thank Prof
Cid´alia Botelho for the iron analysis by atomic absorbance
spectroscopy at the Oporto University – Chemical Engineering
Department. C. Gonçalves, J. A. Martins and M. F. M. Ferreira
acknowledge FCT Portugal, for post-doc grant SFRH/BPD/
70524/2010, sabbatical grant SFRH/BSAB/1328/2013 and PhD
grant SFRH/BD/63994/2009, respectively.
