# Nanodisc Platform for 19F-MRI

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2023 · $272,874

## Abstract

19F MRI, has shown promising success in clinical trials for monitoring cell therapy, where small groups of
cells, showing poor contrast in 1H-MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), are easily tracked using 19F-MRI.1
Contrast is provided by nanoemulsions of perfluorocarbon (PFC) oils pre-loaded into cells. A major advantage
of 19F-MRI is that lack of natural fluorine in the body allows for very high contrast-to-noise for 19F-MRI
compared to 1H-MRI.2 Use of 19F-MRI in molecular imaging, by targeting specific biomarkers, is of great
interest, but the development of probes for these applications has been an elusive goal. Typical synthetic
methods produce relatively large particles, > 150 nm, which induce nonspecific uptake by phagocytic cells.
While avid nonspecific uptake is advantageous for labeling T cells and other immune cells ex vivo, it is a
decided limitation for imaging of biomarkers as it can create high background signal in the inflamed tissues
characteristic in many diseases. 19F MRI should be an excellent platform for biomarker detection but there is a
critical unmet need for suitable 19F MRI contrast agents that avoid nonspecific immune cell surveillance.
Ideally, contrast agents need to be<100 nm to avoid nonspecific uptake. We propose exploratory studies to
develop innovative new 19F MRI contrast agents based on nanodiscs. Nanodiscs are < 50 nm in size, avoid
liver clearance, and escape immune surveillance. We hypothesize that nanodiscs, which are structurally similar
to high density lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in a hydrophobic core, may be ideal for carrying hydrophobic
perfluorocarbons. Our aims are to explore synthetic parameters in benchtop (Aim 1) and microfluidic (Aim 2)
approaches to optimize loading of perfluorocarbons into nanodiscs. In each aim we will systematically
investigate variables that influence nanodisc size and perfluorocarbon loading. New nanodiscs will be
characterized for physical properties such composition and dimensions, and the top 3 products from each Aim
will be evaluated for lack of toxicity and biodistribution in a mouse model. The leading nanodiscs will be
modified for targeting CD204, a biomarker for tumor associated macrophages, and tested in a mouse breast
cancer model. We are team composed of contrast agent (UCD) and nanodisc (LLNL) experts who are ideally
positioned and well-equipped to carry out the proposed aims. The success of this project would add novel
nanodiscs materials with the potential not only for targeted 19F MR molecular imaging, but for applications in
photoacoustic, and radiotherapy, and tracking drug delivery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10746675
- **Project number:** 1R21EB033689-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas Oliver Fischer
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $272,874
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-07-11 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10746675

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10746675, Nanodisc Platform for 19F-MRI (1R21EB033689-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10746675. Licensed CC0.

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