Mass production of ultrasmall Mn3O4 nanoparticles for glutathione responsive off-on T1/T2 switching magnetic resonance imaging and tumor theranostics

Abstract

Individual theranostics with an integrated multifunction holds considerable promise for clinical application compared with multicomponent regimes. Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles with an ultrasmall size (4 nm) and mass production capability were developed with dual function of integrated tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and therapy. The high valence state of Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals enables a sensitive reaction with the glutathione (GSH) molecule and favorable decomposition ability, which further induces a unique, favorable, variable T₁ turn-off and T₂ turn-on MRI property. In addition, ultrasmall Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles reacted with high-level GSH in the tumor microenvironment induces responsive and enhanced variable T₁- and T₂-MRI imaging capability for accurate cancer diagnosis. Moreover, the synthesized ultrasmall Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibit considerable ferroptosis effect towards tumor cells and excellent in vivo biocompatibility, thus indicating promising effective cancer treatment application. The developed ultrasmall Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles with integrated dual functions of GSH-responsive variable T₁ and T₂ MRI imaging effects and ferroptosis capability show promising potential as a candidate for tumor theranostics in clinical applications.