Magnetic Composite Submicron Carriers with Structure-Dependent MRI Contrast.

Magnetic contrast agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging in order to significantly change the signals from the regions of interest in comparison with the surrounding tissue. Despite a high variety of single-mode T1 or T2 contrast agents, there is a need for dual-mode contrast from the one agent. Here, we report on the synthesis of magnetic submicron carriers, containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles in their structure. We show the ability to control magnetic resonance contrast by changing not only the number of magnetite nanoparticles in one carrier or the concentration of magnetite in the suspension but also the structure of the core–shell itself. The obtained data open up the prospects for dual-mode T1/T2 magnetic contrast formation, as well as provides the basis for future investigations in this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]