Objectives To evaluate the in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging efficacy of manganese (Mn(II)) molecular imaging probes targeted to oxidation-specific epitopes (OSE). Background OSE are critical in the initiation, progression and de-stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Gadolinium (Gd(III)) based MR imaging agents can be associated with systemic toxicity. Mn is an endogenous, bio-compatible, paramagnetic metal ion that has poor MR efficacy when chelated, but strong efficacy when released within cells. Methods Multimodal Mn-micelles were generated to contain rhodamine for confocal microscopy and conjugated with either the murine monoclonal IgG antibody MDA2 targeted to malondialdehyde (MDA)-lysine epitopes or the human single-chain Fv antibody fragment IK17 targeted to MDA-like epitopes (‘targeted micelles”). Micelle formulations were characterized in vitro and in vivo and their MR efficacy (9.4 Tesla) evaluated in apoE−/− and LDLR−/− mice (0.05 mmol Mn/Kg dose) (total of 120 mice for all experiments). In vivo competitive inhibition studies were performed to evaluate target specificity. Untargeted, MDA2-Gd and IK17-Gd micelles (0.075 mmol Gd/Kg) were included as controls. Results In vitro studies demonstrated that targeted Mn-micelles accumulate in macrophages when pre-exposed to MDA-LDL with ~10X increase in longitudinal relativity. Following intravenous injection, strong MR signal enhancement was observed 48–72 hours after administration of targeted Mn-micelles, with co-localization within intraplaque macrophages. Co-injection of free MDA2 with the MDA2-Mn micelles resulted in full suppression of MR signal in the arterial wall confirming target specificity. Similar MR efficacy was noted in apoE−/− and LDLR−/− mice with aortic atherosclerosis. No significant differences in MR efficacy were noted between targeted Mn and Gd micelles. Conclusions This study demonstrates that bio-compatible multimodal Mn-based molecular imaging probes detect OSE within atherosclerotic plaques and may facilitate clinical translation of non-invasive imaging of human atherosclerosis.

This report of the reddest emitting indium phosphide quantum dots (InP QDs) to date demonstrates tunable, near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) as well as PL multiplexing in the first optical tissue window while avoiding toxic constituents. This synthesis overcomes the InP "growth bottleneck" and extends the emission peak of InP QDs deeper into the first optical tissue window using an inverted QD heterostructure, specifically ZnSe/InP/ZnS core/shell/shell nanoparticles. The QDs exhibit InP shell thickness-dependent tunable emission with peaks ranging from 515−845 nm. The high absorptivity of InP yields effective photoexcitation of the QDs with UV, visible, and NIR wavelengths. These nanoparticles extend the range of tunable direct-bandgap emission from InP-based nanostructures, effectively overcoming a synthetic barrier that has prevented InPbased QDs from reaching their full potential as NIR imaging agents. Multiplexed lymph node imaging in a mouse model demonstrates the potential of the NIR-emitting InP particles for in vivo imaging.

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are attractive fluorescent contrast agents for in vivo imaging due to their superior photophysical properties, but traditional QDs comprise toxic materials such as cadmium or lead. Copper indium sulfide (CuInS2, CIS) QDs have been posited as a nontoxic and potentially clinically translatable alternative; however, previous in vivo studies utilized particles with a passivating zinc sulfide (ZnS) shell, limiting direct evidence of the biocompatibility of the underlying CIS. For the first time, we assess the biodistribution and toxicity of unshelled CIS and partially zinc-alloyed CISZ QDs in a murine model. We show that bare CIS QDs breakdown quickly, inducing significant toxicity as seen in organ weight, blood chemistry, and histology. CISZ demonstrates significant, but lower, toxicity compared to bare CIS, while our measurements of core/shell CIS/ZnS are consistent with literature reports of general biocompatibility. In vitro cytotoxicity is dose-dependent on the amount of metal released due to particle degradation, linking degradation to toxicity. These results challenge the assumption that removing heavy metals necessarily reduces toxicity: indeed, we find comparable in vitro cytotoxicity between CIS and CdSe QDs, while CIS caused severe toxicity in vivo compared to CdSe. In addition to highlighting the complexity of nanotoxicity and the differences between the in vitro and in vivo outcomes, these unexpected results serve as a reminder of the importance of assessing the biocompatibility of core QDs absent the protective ZnS shell when making specific claims of compositional biocompatibility.

The focus on heavy metal-free semiconductor nanocrystals has increased interest in ZnSe semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) over the past decade. Reliable and consistent incorporation of ZnSe cores into core/shell heterostructures or devices requires empirical fit equations correlating the lowest-energy electron transition (1S peak) to their size and molar extinction coefficients (ε). While these equations are known and heavily used for CdSe, CdTe, CdS, PbS, etc., they are not well established for ZnSe and are nonexistent for ZnSe QDs with diameters <3.5 nm. In this study, a series of ZnSe QDs with diameters ranging from 2 to 6 nm were characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectroscopy, and microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES). SAXS-based size analysis enabled the practical inclusion of small particles in the evaluation, and elemental analysis with MP-AES elucidates a nonstoichiometric Zn:Se ratio consistent with zinc-terminated spherical ZnSe QDs. Using these combined results, empirical fit equations correlating QD size with its lowest-energy electron transition (i.e., 1S peak position), Zn:Se ratio, and molar extinction coefficients for 1S peak, 1S integral, and high-energy wavelengths are reported. Finally, the equations are used to track the evolution of a ZnSe core reaction. These results will enable the consistent and reliable use of ZnSe core particles in complex heterostructures and devices.

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