Polyelectrolyte Parg/DS submicrocapsules functionalized by magnetite nanoparticles as effective MR contrast agents

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules functionalized by Fe3O4 nanoparticles have proved to be perspective magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents. Here we report about submicron-sized capsules with a shell made of poly-L-arginine and dextran sulfate. Such polymers are biodegradable, thus they are suitable to use as components of drug delivery carriers. To functionalize submicrocapsules by magnetite freezing and layer-by-layer method were used. MR study of obtained samples was carried out, and signal intensity change dependencies on submicrocapsules concentration by mass amount of iron oxide (III) nanoparticles were shown. The sample with optimal MR contrast characteristics was found as well, and an ability to use it as a bimodal MR agent was demonstrated.