Work

A novel MRI contrast agent NaGdF4@PEG–CLS@MMP-13 NPs for detecting articular cartilage injury

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Early detection of cartilage injuries is crucial due to their limited self-repair capacity and risk of joint dysfunction. Conventional contrast agents like gadolinium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) offer low specificity and T1 relaxivity (r1), limiting MRI application. This study introduces NaGdF 4 nanoparticles (NPs) modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cholesterol (CLS) to enhance hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Targeting is achieved using a matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) cartilage-binding peptide. NaGdF 4 @PEG–CLS@MMP13 CBP NPs demonstrate an increased r1 value (8.07 mM −1 s −1 ) compared to NaGdF 4 @PEG–CLS NPs (6.65 mM −1 s −1 ) and Gd-DTPA (3.01 mM −1 s −1 ), enabling deeper cartilage penetration and stronger cartilage affinity. Two hours post-injection, these NPs improved the signal-to-noise ratio at injury sites by 2.4-fold over pre-injection values. Biocompatibility was confirmed with no adverse effects in blood or organs, and the NPs were metabolized in kidneys and liver, with excretion via urine. This study supports NaGdF 4 @PEG–CLS@MMP13 CBP NPs as an effective MRI contrast agent, enhancing early detection of cartilage injuries.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89444-9