Core-shell NaGdF₄@CaCO₃ nanoparticles for enhanced magnetic resonance/ultrasonic dual-modal imaging via tumor acidic micro-enviroment triggering.

ABSTRACT: For cancer diagnosis, a paramount challenge still exists in the exploring of methods that can precisely discriminate tumor tissues from their surrounding healthy tissues with a high target-to-background signal ratio. Here, we report a NaGdF₄@CaCO₃-PEG core-shell nanoparticle which has the tumor acidic microenvironment enhanced imaging signals of ultrasound and magnetic resonance. Under the acidic conditions, the CaCO₃ shell will gradually dissolve which then facilitate the interaction of NaGdF₄ with the external aqueous environment to enhance water proton relaxation. Meanwhile, the CO₂ bubbles generated by the CaCO₃ dissolvement will generate strong elastic echo for US detection. The core-shell structure of NaGdF₄

SUBMITTER: Wei Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5511195 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature