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Biocompatible iron(II)-doped carbon dots as T1-weighted magnetic resonance contrast agents and fluorescence imaging probes

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Abstract

The one-pot synthesis of iron-doped carbon quantum dots (Fe-CQDs) for use as both magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescent (dual-mode) imaging nanoprobes is described. Comprehensive characterizations of the material confirmed the successful doping of the CQDs with Fe(II) ions. The imaging probe has a longitudinal relaxivity of 3.92 mM−1∙s−1 and a low r2/r1 ratio of 1.27, both of which are critical for T1-weighted contrast agents. The maximum emission of Fe-CQDs locates at 450 nm under 375 nm excitation, which also can be applied to fluorescence imaging. Biotoxicity assessment showed good biocompatibility of the Fe-CQDs. The in-vitro experiments with A549 cells indicated that the Fe-CQDs are viable candidates as dual-mode (MR/fluorescence) imaging nanoprobes. For in-vivo experiments, they exhibit high contrast efficiency, thereby improving the positive contrast in T1-weighted MR images. In-vivo time-dependent MRI of major organs showed that the Fe-CQDs undergo fast glomerular filtration and can evade immuno-absorption due to their ultra-small size and excellent biocompatibility.

Schematic presentation of the synthesis of Fe-CQDs and applications to magnetic resonance and fluorescent dual-mode imaging.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No. 21405174) and The Science and Technology Innovation Program of Social Undertakings and People’s Livelihood Security of Chongqing Science and Technology Commission (cstc2016shms-ztzx10002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China

    Qing Huang, Yue Liu, Linling Zheng, Liping Wu & Huawen Zhao

  2. Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China

    Zhengyu Zhou

  3. Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China

    Jiafei Chen & Wei Chen

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  1. Qing Huang
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  2. Yue Liu
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  3. Linling Zheng
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Correspondence to Yue Liu, Wei Chen or Huawen Zhao.

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Huang, Q., Liu, Y., Zheng, L. et al. Biocompatible iron(II)-doped carbon dots as T1-weighted magnetic resonance contrast agents and fluorescence imaging probes. Microchim Acta 186, 492 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3593-4

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