Synthesis of the PLA-PEG-PLL gadolinium loaded nanoprobe targeted to vascular endothelial growth factor used for the molecular imaging of micro-hepatic carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective This study aims to synthesize a novel gadolinium loaded nanoprobe targeted to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and assess its clinical value for imaging micro hepatic carcinoma.Methods A carrier was made by the biocompatible polymer material polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol-poly-L-lysinenanoparticles (PLA-PEG-PLLs).The targeted nanoprobe was obtained with anti-VEGF antibody and gadolinium (Gd) bonding to the surface of the carrier.MRI in vitro determined the T1 relaxivity of the nanoprobe.A live cancer model enhanced MR scan was performed by injecting targeted nanoprobes into the tail vein of grafted H22 tumor mice.The enhanced characteristics of the subcutaneous tumors and micro-heatic carcinoma were then reviewed.Results The particle size of the VEGF-targeted PLA-PEG-PLL gadolinium loaded nanoprobe was 85.8±7.2 nm with a zeta potential of 21.63±2.4 mV.The R1 relaxivity of the targeted nanoprobe was 18.394 mmol/s at 3.0 T when its gadolinium concentration was 8.0 μmol/ml.The enhanced MR scan using targeted probes showed that the big and micro-subcutaneous cancer exhibited a specifically delayed enhancement with an enhanced peak value at 2 or 3 hours,rather than the enhancement of the tumor using the nontargeted nanoparticles.Conclusion In conclusion,the VEGF targeted PLA-PEG-PLL gadolinium loaded nanoprobe was synthesized successfully,showed a high relaxivity,achieved targeted imaging of the micro-hepatic carcinoma,and exhibits a promising potential in the detection of this liver cancer.