Mannose-poly(ethylene glycol)-linked SPION targeted to antigen presenting cells for magnetic resonance imaging on lymph node

► Mannose in the Mannose-PEG-SPION efficiently targets the APCs in lymph node. ► Mannose-PEG-SPION, after intravenous injection in rats, was tracked by MR imaging. ► The accumulation of Mannose-PEG-SPION in the lymph node was also confirmed by Prussian blue staining. ► Mannose-PEG-SPION was found to have a great potential for LN specific MR imaging.