Engineered Nonviral Protein Cages Modified for MR Imaging.

ABSTRACT: Diagnostic medical imaging utilizes magnetic resonance (MR) to provide anatomical, functional, and molecular information in a single scan. Nanoparticles are often labeled with Gd(III) complexes to amplify the MR signal of contrast agents (CAs) with large payloads and high proton relaxation efficiencies (relaxivity, r₁). This study examined the MR performance of two structurally unique cages, AaLS-13 and OP, labeled with Gd(III). The cages have characteristics relevant for the development of theranostic platforms, including (i) well-defined structure, symmetry, and size; (ii) the amenability to extensive engineering; (iii) the adjustable loading of therapeutically relevant cargo molecules; (iv) high physical stability; and (v) facile manufacturing by microbial fermentation

SUBMITTER: Kaster MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9945100 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature