Journal article
Development of a Polymer Ultrasound Contrast Agent Incorporating Nested Carbon Nanodots
Ultrasonic imaging, p1617346241279112
22 Sep 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Polymer microbubbles have garnered broad interest as potential theranostic agents. However, the capabilities of polymer MBs can be greatly enhanced, particularly regarding the imaging performance and functional versatility of the platform. This study investigates integrating fluorescent carbon nanodots within polylactic acid (PLA) microbubbles. First, the formulations are characterized by their size, microbubble counts, zeta potential, and resonance frequency. Then, the fluorescence capabilities, nanoparticle loading, and acoustic capabilities are examined. Unmodified (U-), carboxylated (C-), and aminated graphene quantum dots (A-GQDs) were separately suspended and synthesized at a 2% w/w ratio with PLA in the organic phase of the water/oil/water double emulsion process. The new microbubbles were characterized using an AccuSizer, Zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and fluorimetry, a custom-built acoustic setup, and clinical ultrasound. The GQD microbubbles were sized between 1.4 and 1.9 µm (U = 1.90, C = 1.44, A = 1.72, Unloaded = 2.02 µm). The U-GQD microbubble exhibited a higher bubble concentration/mg PLA ( p < .05) and the A-GQD microbubbles exhibited the greatest shift in zeta potential. Electron microscopy revealed smooth surfaces and a spherical shape, showing that the nanoparticle addition was not deleterious. The A-GQD microbubbles were specifically detectable using DAPI-filtering with fluorescence microscopy and had the highest TRITC-filtered fluorescence. The C-GQD microbubbles had the highest loading efficiency at 59.4% ( p < .05), and the lowest max acoustic enhancement at 5 MHz (U = 19.8, C = 17.6, A = 18.9, Unloaded = 18.5 dB; p < .05). Additionally, all microbubbles were visible and susceptible to inertial cavitation utilizing clinical ultrasound. The A-GQDs showed promise toward improving the theranostic capabilities of the microbubble platform. They have imbued the most advantageous fluorescence capability and slightly improved backscatter enhancement while retaining all the necessary capabilities of an ultrasound contrast agent. Future studies will investigate the coloading potential of A-GQDs and drug within microbubbles.
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Details
- Title
- Development of a Polymer Ultrasound Contrast Agent Incorporating Nested Carbon Nanodots
- Creators
- Matthew A. Shirley - Drexel UniversityValeria Arango-Aliaga - Drexel UniversityAnkit Patel - Drexel UniversityBrian E. Oeffinger - Drexel UniversityJohn Eisenbrey - Thomas Jefferson UniversityMargaret A. Wheatley - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Ultrasonic imaging, p1617346241279112
- Publisher
- SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC; THOUSAND OAKS
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship: 2041772
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: One author (MAS), was recipient of an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship award #2041772.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001326823700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85205468972
- Other Identifier
- 991021904810504721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Acoustics
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging