Perfluorodecalin/[InGaP/ZnS quantum dots] nanoemulsions as ¹⁹F MR/optical imaging nanoprobes for the labeling of phagocytic and nonphagocytic immune cells

Multimodal imaging contrast agents with unique magnetic resonance (MR) and optical imaging capabilities have great potentials in the diagnosis and therapy of disease. Using a rational materials design approach, the bimodal imaging contrast agent, perfluorodecalin (PFD)/[InGaP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs)] composite nanoemulsions is developed in this study. ¹⁹F molecules in the PFD/[InGaP/ZnS QDs] nanoemulsions provide a ¹⁹F-based MR imaging capability, while fluorescent QDs dispersed in PFD nanodroplets provide an optical imaging modality. This study also demonstrates that these bimodal imaging contrast agents can be delivered easily into both phagocytic and nonphagocytic immune cells. Internalization of multifunctional PFD/[InGaP/ZnS QDs] nanoemulsions into immunotherapeutic cells permits the labeled cells to be imaged by both magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging with little effect on cell viability and function. The results of our study highlight the potential of PFD/[InGaP/ZnS QDs] nanoemulsion as a bimodal imaging nanoprobe for molecular imaging in immune cell-based cancer therapies.