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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in diverse biological processes, transport biomolecules between cells and have been engineered for therapeutic applications. A useful EV bioengineering strategy is to express engineered proteins on the EV surface to confer targeting, bioactivity and other properties. Measuring how incorporation varies across a population of EVs is important for characterising such materials and understanding their function, yet it remains challenging to quantitatively characterise the absolute number of engineered proteins incorporated at single‐EV resolution. To address these needs, we developed a HaloTag‐based characterisation platform in which dyes or other synthetic species can be covalently and stoichiometrically attached to engineered proteins on the EV surface. To evaluate this system, we employed several orthogonal quantification methods, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and found that HaloTag‐mediated quantification is generally robust across EV analysis methods. We compared HaloTag‐labelling to antibody‐labelling of EVs using single vesicle flow cytometry, enabling us to measure the substantial degree to which antibody labelling can underestimate proteins present on an EV. Finally, we demonstrate the use of HaloTag to compare between protein designs for EV bioengineering. Overall, the HaloTag system is a useful EV characterisation tool which complements and expands existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our lab has developed a new series of self‐immolative MR agents for the rapid detection of enzyme activity in mouse models expressing β‐galactosidase (β‐gal). We investigated two molecular architectures to create agents that detect β‐gal activity by modulating the coordination of water to GdIII. The first is an intermolecular approach, wherein we designed several structural isomers to maximize coordination of endogenous carbonate ions. The second involves an intramolecular mechanism for q modulation. We incorporated a pendant coordinating carboxylate ligand with a 2, 4, 6, or 8 carbon linker to saturate ligand coordination to the GdIII ion. This renders the agent ineffective. We show that one agent in particular (6‐C pendant carboxylate) is an extremely effective MR reporter for the detection of enzyme activity in a mouse model expressing β‐gal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To demonstrate a new MR imaging approach that unambiguously identifies and quantitates contrast agents based on intrinsic agent properties such as r1, r2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is advantageous because it concurrently provides anatomic, functional, and molecular information. MR molecular imaging can combine the high spatial resolution of this established clinical modality with molecular profiling in vivo. However, as a result of the intrinsically low sensitivity of MR imaging, high local concentrations of biological targets are required to generate discernable MR contrast. We hypothesize that the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an attractive target for imaging and therapy of prostate cancer, could serve as a suitable biomarker for MR-based molecular imaging. We have synthesized three new high-affinity, low-molecular-weight GdIII-based PSMA-targeted contrast agents containing one to three GdIII chelates per molecule. We evaluated the relaxometric properties of these agents in solution, in prostate cancer cells, and in an in vivo experimental model to demonstrate the feasibility of PSMA-based MR molecular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors are key regulators in both normal and pathological cell processes. Affecting the activity of these proteins is a promising strategy for understanding gene regulation and developing effective therapeutics. CoIII Schiff base complexes ([Co(acacen)(L)2]+ where L=labile axial ligands) have been shown to be potent inhibitors of a number of zinc metalloproteins including Cys2His2 zinc finger transcription factors. Inhibition by [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ of the target protein is believed to occur through a dissociative exchange of the labile axial ligands for histidine (His) residues essential for function. Here, we report a series of spectroscopic investigations with model peptides of zinc fingers that elucidate the interaction between [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes and zinc finger transcription factors. Observed changes in NMR chemical shifts and 2D 1H-1H NOESY NMR spectra demonstrate the preference of [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes to coordinate His residues over other amino acids. The conformation of [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ upon His coordination was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, near-UV CD, and electronic absorption. These studies reveal that the resulting His-coordinated [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complex possesses an octahedral structure. The effects of [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes on the zinc-finger structure were assessed by the degree of hydrogen bonding (probed by 2D NMR spectroscopy) and secondary-structure profiles measured by far-UV CD. These structural studies demonstrate the ability of [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes to disrupt the ββα structure of zinc fingers, resulting in primarily random-coil conformations. A mechanism is described wherein [Co(acacen)(L)2]+ complexes inhibit zinc finger transcription factor activity through selectively coordinating His residues in the zinc finger by dissociative ligand exchange and disrupting the ββα structural motif required for gene regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polymer‐caged nanobin (PCN) theranostic platform with a doxorubicin (DXR)‐loaded liposomal core and an acid‐sensitive polymer shell that is functionalized with herceptin and GdIII‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents is reported. In vitro testing reveals an 120‐fold improvement in cellular GdIII uptake in comparison with clinically approved DOTA‐GdIII, leading to significant T1 MRI contrast enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in synthesizing ferritin-coated polystyrene beads. The researchers examined particles that are useful to study the effects of ferritin distribution, particle size and bead fraction on proton relaxation. Study revealed that ferritin-coated polystyrene beads were synthesized and characterized as long-term synthetic ferritin or hemosiderin mimics.

Despite recent advances in tissue engineering to regenerate biological function by combining cells with material supports, development is hindered by inadequate techniques for characterizing biomaterials in vivo. Magnetic resonance imaging is a tomographic technique with high temporal and spatial resolution and represents an excellent imaging modality for longitudinal noninvasive assessment of biomaterials in vivo. To distinguish biomaterials from surrounding tissues for magnetic resonance imaging, protein polymer contrast agents were developed and incorporated into hydrogels. In vitro and in vivo images of protein polymer hydrogels, with and without covalently incorporated protein polymer contrast agents, were acquired by magnetic resonance imaging. T1 values of the labeled gels were consistently lower when protein polymer contrast agents were included. As a result, the protein polymer contrast agent hydrogels facilitated fate tracking, quantification of degradation, and detection of immune response in vivo. For the duration of the in vivo study, the protein polymer contrast agent-containing hydrogels could be distinguished from adjacent tissues and from the foreign body response surrounding the gels. The hydrogels containing protein polymer contrast agent have a contrast-to-noise ratio 2-fold greater than hydrogels without protein polymer contrast agent. In the absence of the protein polymer contrast agent, hydrogels cannot be distinguished by the end of the gel lifetime. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolic particles modified with a clinically approved magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent. PVA particles are used during transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) procedures and this minimally invasive technique is a widely employed treatment for inoperable tumors. The PVA particles are injected into tumor vessels and prevent blood flow which results in tumor attenuation. An accurate assessment of the endpoint of embolization is critical to successful TAE procedures. Recent reports suggest that 20% of endpoint determination of TAE procedures by angiographic techniques are erroneous. Real time, in vivo imaging of the embolic particles would overcome this limitation. The contrast-modified PVA particles described here show an 80% decrease in T1 relaxation times compared to unmodified particles. Images of particles in capillary tubes of similar size to catheters used in TAE procedures are clearly visible by MRI. Magn Reson Med 59:898-902, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vivo monitoring of cell survival and migration will be essential to the translation of cell-based therapies from the laboratory to clinical studies. The pre-labeling of cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents renders them visible in vivo for serial cellular imaging. However, little is known about the impact of the presence of these metal particles inside transplanted cells. The use of the bimodal contrast agent GRID made it possible to demonstrate by means of fluorescent microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) that, after 16 h of incubation (without the use of a transfection agent), neural stem cells (NSCs) were saturated and no longer incorporated particles. With this maximal uptake, no significant effect on cell viability was observed. However, a significant decrease in proliferation was evident in cells that underwent 24 h of labeling. A significant increase in reactive oxygen species was observed for all GRID labeling, with a very significant increase with 24 h of labeling. GRID labeling did not affect cell motility in comparison with PKH26-labeled NSCs in a glioma-based migration assay and also allowed differentiation into all major cell types of the brain. GRID-labeled cells induced a signal change of 47% on T2 measurements and allows a detection of cell clusters of ∼220 cells/µl. Further in vivo testing will be required to ensure that cell labeling with gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents does not impair their ability to repair. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]