A method for synthesis and functionalization of ultrasmall superparamagnetic covalent carriers based on maghemite and dextran

A new generation of susceptibility contrast agents for MRI and based on maghemite cores covalently bonded to dextran stabilizing macromolecules was investigated. The multistep preparation of these versatile ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (VUSPIO) consisted of colloidal maghemite synthesis, surface modification by aminopropylsilane groups, and coupling of partially oxidized dextran via Schiff's bases and secondary amine bonds. The dextran corona might be easily derivatized, e.g. by PEGylation.