Core-Shell-Shell Nanoparticles for NIR Fluorescence Imaging and NRET Swelling Reporting of Injectable or Implantable Gels.

ABSTRACT: Injectable gels that support load are desirable for restoring the mechanical properties of degenerated load-bearing tissue. As these gels become increasingly sophisticated, the need to remotely image them and monitor their swelling increases. However, imaging such gels and monitoring their swelling using noninvasive means is challenging. Here, we use a very low concentration of near-infrared (NIR) core-shell-shell (CSS) reporter nanoparticles to both image and monitor swelling changes of two load-supporting gels. The load-supporting injectable gel consisted of covalently interlinked pH-responsive microgel (MG) particles. The latter gel was not cytotoxic and is termed a doubly cross-linked microgel (DX MG). Inclusion of a complementary fluorescent dye enabled ratiometric monitoring of gel s

SUBMITTER: Shanks HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7007186 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature