Abstract

Receptor-directed MR contrast agents are currently being designed to improve sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging and to provide for functional MR imaging. In the current study we have synthesized a conjugate of asialofetuin (ASF), a bovine plasma protein with a known, high affinity for the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor, and a well defined, single crystal superparamagnetic label (monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticle, MION). MION-ASF is cleared from the circulation more than 300 times faster than MION, has a 3.7 times higher hepatic accumulation, increases liver R2 relaxivity 2.8-fold compared to MION, and accumulates in hepatocytes unlike MION, which accumulates only in macrophages. Competition assays indicate that receptor-mediated hepatocyte uptake can be competitively blocked and that this effect can be demonstrated by imaging. These studies indicate that sensitive iron oxide based probes can be developed for functional MR imaging.