Biodegradable polyphosphoester micelles act as both background-free ³¹P magnetic resonance imaging agents and drug nanocarriers.

ABSTRACT: In vivo monitoring of polymers is crucial for drug delivery and tissue regeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a whole-body imaging technique, and heteronuclear MRI allows quantitative imaging. However, MRI agents can result in environmental pollution and organ accumulation. To address this, we introduce biocompatible and biodegradable polyphosphoesters, as MRI-traceable polymers using the ³¹P centers in the polymer backbone. We overcome challenges in ³¹P MRI, including background interference and low sensitivity, by modifying the molecular environment of ³¹P, assembling polymers into colloids, and tailoring the polymers' microstructure to adjust MRI-relaxation times. Specifically, gradient-type polyphosphonate-copolymers demonstrate improved MRI-

SUBMITTER: Koshkina O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10356825 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature