Clustering superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles produces organ-targeted high-contrast magnetic resonance images

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents; however, a number of T2-weighted imaging SPIONs have been withdrawn due to their poor clinical contrast performance. Our aim was to significantly improve SPION T2-weighted MRI contrast by clustering SPIONs within novel chitosan amphiphiles. Clustering SPIONs was achieved by encapsulation of hydrophobic-coated SPIONs with an amphiphilic chitosan polymer (GCPQ). Clustering increases the spin-spin ( ) to spin-lattice ( ) relaxation ratio ( ) from 3.0 to 79.1, resulting in superior contrast. Intravenously administered clustered SPIONs accumulated only in the liver and spleen; with the reduction in T2 relaxation confined, in the liver, to the extravascular space, giving clear MRI images of the liver vasculature.