Amphiphilic hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles for tumor-specific optical/MR dual imaging

Abstract

The amphiphilic hyaluronic acid-5 beta-cholanic acid (HA-CA) conjugates were synthesized to fabricate near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) dye conjugated and water-dispersible SPION-encapsulated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HNPs) for a tumor-targeted optical and magnetic resonance (MR) dual imaging contrast agent. Notably, HNPs were preferentially accumulated in the tumor region, implying that the hydrophilic HA shells of nanoparticles allow prolonged circulation and excellent active targeting of the SPION encapsulated nanoparticles in tumor-bearing mice.