Optimization of superfluorinated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced cell labelling and detection by 19F-MRI

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces Vol. 220; p. 112932
• Main Authors: Chirizzi, Cristina, Gatti, Lodovico, Sancho-Albero, María, Sebastian, Victor, Arruebo, Manuel, Uson, Laura, Neri, Giulia, Santamaria, Jesus, Metrangolo, Pierangelo, Chaabane, Linda, Baldelli Bombelli, Francesca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022
• Subjects: 19F-MRI; Cell tracking; Colloidal stability; PLGA nanoparticles; Superfluorinated probe; 19F-MRI; Superfluorinated probe; Colloidal stability; Cell tracking; PLGA nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112932

Fluorine-19 (19F) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an emergent imaging technique for molecular imaging and cell tracking. Lack of intrinsic 19F signals in tissues allows unambiguous in vivo detection of exogenous fluorinated probes, complementary to the anatomical and multiparametric information obtained by standard 1H-MRI. However, the intrinsic low sensitivity of MRI technique requires the need of designing increasingly effective fluorinated tracers. PERFECTA, with its 36 magnetically equivalent 19F atoms and a designed branched molecular structure, represents an excellent superfluorinated tracer. In this paper, we report the development of PERFECTA loaded PLGA NPs stabilized by different coatings as promising 19F-MRI probes. The results clearly show the optimal cellular uptake of the produced colloidally stable PERFECTA loaded PLGA NPs without impact on cells viability. Importantly, NPs stabilization with the anionic surfactant sodium cholate (NaC) clearly enhances NPs internalization within cells with respect to PVA-coated NPs. Moreover, the optimized NPs are characterized by shorter T1 relaxation times with respect to other PERFECTA formulations that would allow the increase of 19F-MRI sensitivity with fast imaging acquisitions. [Display omitted] •High encapsulation yield of PERFECTA in PLGA NPs guarantees improved 19F-MRI sensitivity.•PERFECTA loaded PLGA NPs shows reduced T1 relaxation times enabling fast-imaging methods.•Using sodium cholate (NaC) as stabilizer on superfluorinated PLGA NPs facilitates NP cellular uptake.