Stealth macromolecular platforms for the design of MRI blood pool contrast agents

Stealth macromolecular platforms bearing alkyne groups and poly(ethylene oxide) brushes were synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The anchoring of Gd3+-chelates bearing an azide group was then carried out by the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (“click”) reaction in mild conditions, leading to macrocontrast agents for MRI applications. The gadolinium complex is hidden in the PEO shell that renders the macrocontrast agents free of any cytotoxicity and stealth to proteins of the immune system. Relaxometry measurements have evidenced an improved relaxivity of the macrocontrast agent compared to ungrafted gadolinium chelate. Moreover, this relaxivity is further enhanced when the spacer length between the Gd3+-chelate and the polymer backbone is shorter, as the result of its decreased tumbling rate. These novel products are therefore promising candidates for MRI applications.