A facile synthesis of versatile Cu2−xS nanoprobe for enhanced MRI and infrared thermal/photoacoustic multimodal imaging

A novel type of intelligent nanoprobe by using single component of Cu2−xS for multimodal imaging has been facilely and rapidly synthesized in scale via thermal decomposition followed by biomimetic phospholipid modification, which endows them with uniform and small nanoparticle size (ca.15 nm), well phosphate buffer saline (PBS) dispersity, high stability, and excellent biocompatibility. The as-synthesized Cu2−xS nanoprobes (Cu2−xS NPs) are capable of providing contrast enhancement for T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as demonstrated by the both in vitro and in vivo imaging investigations for the first time. In addition, due to their strong near infrared (NIR) optical absorption, they can also serve as a candidate contrast agent for enhanced infrared thermal/photoacoustic imaging, to meet the shortfalls of MRI. Hence, complementary and potentially more comprehensive information can be acquired for the early detection and accurate diagnosis of cancer. Furthermore, negligible systematic side effects to the blood and tissue were observed in a relatively long period of 3 months. The distinctive multimodal imaging capability with excellent hemo/histocompatibility of the Cu2−xS NPs could open up a new molecular imaging possibility for detecting and diagnosing cancer or other diseases in the future.

A novel type of intelligent nanoprobe Cu2−xS for enhanced magnetic resonance (MR)/infrared thermal/photoacoustic multimodal imaging was firstly proposed and facilely synthesized in scale via thermal decomposition followed by biomimetic phospholipid modification to meet the requirements of intravenous injection. The as-synthesized Cu2−xS NPs are capable of providing both in vitro and in vivo significant contrast enhancement for T1-weighted MR/infrared thermal/photoacoustic multimodal imaging, with negligible systematic side effects to the blood and normal tissues, and show great prospects in medical imaging for the early and accurate diagnosis of cancers.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (325 K)Download as PowerPoint slide