Gadolinium-modulated ¹⁹F signals from perfluorocarbon nanoparticles as a new strategy for molecular imaging

Recent advances in the design of fluorinated nanoparticles for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have enabled specific detection of ¹⁹F nuclei, providing unique and quantifiable spectral signatures. However, a pressing need for signal enhancement exists because the total ¹⁹F in imaging voxels is often limited. By directly incorporating a relaxation agent, gadolinium (Gd), into the lipid monolayer that surrounds the perfluorocarbon (PFC), a marked augmentation of the ¹⁹F signal from 200-nm nanoparticles was achieved. This design increases the magnetic relaxation rate of the ¹⁹F nuclei fourfold at 1.5 T and effects a 125% increase in signal - an effect that is maintained when they are targeted to human plasma clots. By varying the surface concentration of Gd, the relaxation effect can be quantitatively modulated to tailor particle properties. This novel strategy dramatically improves the sensitivity and range of ¹⁹F MRI/MRS and forms the basis for designing contrast agents capable of sensing their surface chemistry.