Incorporation of metal-oxo cluster-based MRI contrast agents into nanocarriers provides for increased T1 relaxivity and biocompatibility. Our lab has developed a versatile synthetic method for encapsulation of two metal-oxo clusters, [Mn3(O2CCH3)3(Bpy)2] and [Mn8Fe4O12(O2CCH3)16(H2O)4] into polyacrylamide nanogels (~130-150 nm in diameter). These nanocomposites exhibit aqueous metal stability, crucial to the use of clusters in vivo. Importantly, the nanogels exhibit varying T1 relaxation enhancement of up to 8-fold in comparison to their molecular counterparts, far exceeding the relaxation characteristics of clinically used gadolinium chelates, and strong T2 properties. Additionally, we have developed a mini-emulsion-based synthetic method to co-polymerize the aforementioned [Mn8Fe4O12(O2CCH3)16(H2O)4] into polystyrene (~ 80 nm in diameter). Tailoring the porosity of the nanocomposite, Mn8Fe4co-PS, allows for modulation of the relaxivity, coupled with strong biocompatibility and in vivo integrity. We aim to understand the relationship between the clusters and nanocarriers and their role in relaxation enhancement.

Versatile synthesis of paramagnetic metal-oxo cluster-polyacrylamide and polystyrene nanocomposites and characterization as potential MRI contrast agents

ACS Spring 2022

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