The present invention relates to nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of antigen to liver cells, in particular, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and/or Kupffer cells, and for the in vivo generation of regulatory T cells, notably CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergies or other chronic inflammatory conditions, and for generation of regulatory T cells. The nanoparticles used in the invention comprise a) a micelle comprising an amphiphilic polymer rendering the nanoparticle water-soluble, and b) a peptide comprising at least one T cell epitope associated with the outside of the micelle. The micelle may or may not comprise a solid hydrophobic core.

Described herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods for using polymeric micellar nanoparticles for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in a subject in need thereof.

Mucus-penetrating liposomal nanoparticles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The nanoparticles contain one or more lipids, one or more PEG-conjugated lipids, and optionally one or more additional materials that physically and/or chemically stabilize the particles. The nanoparticle have an average diameter of about 100 nm to about 300 nm, preferably from about 100 nm to about 250 nm, more preferably from about 100 nm to about 200 nm. The particles are mobile in mucus. The liposomes can further contain one or more therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agent to be delivered to a mucosal surface, such as the CV tract, the colon, the nose, the lungs, and/or the eyes. The liposomes can further contain one or more CEST agents to allow real time imaging of the particles in a live animal. The particles may also further contain an imaging agent, such as a fluorescent label.

A method for preparing chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization includes forming ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles by co-precipitation and coating the nanoparticles with chitosan in the presence of glutaraldehyde. The Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 nanoparticles can be coated by dispersing ferrous ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles into a solution comprising chitosan and acetic acid, adding a surfactant, adding excess 50% glutaraldehyde solution, and washing the nanoparticles with a solvent. The chitosan coated ferric oxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) nanoparticles can be used to immobilize proteins or other biomolecules.

The invention is directed to a method for preparing a microsphere comprising a lanthanide metal phosphate complex, a microsphere, a powder comprising a number of the microspheres, a suspension comprising the microsphere or the powder, the use of the microsphere, a method for detecting a tumor, and a therapeutic composition comprising the microsphere, the powder, or the suspension. The invention provides a method for preparing a microsphere that comprises a lanthanide metal phosphate complex, the method comprising: (a) providing an organic lanthanide metal complex microsphere, wherein the lanthanide metal is present in an amount of more than 20 wt. %, based on total weight of the microspheres, and wherein the organic lanthanide metal complex comprises a lanthanide ion and organic ligands with which the lanthanide ion forms the complex; and thereafter (b) replacing at least part of the organic ligands in the organic lanthanide metal complex microsphere with phosphate in a chimie douce reaction,
wherein the lanthanide metal is present in the resulting microsphere in an amount of more than 20 wt. %, based on total weight of the microsphere, and wherein the lanthanide metal complex in the resulting microsphere comprises a lanthanide ion and phosphate.

The present invention provides methods for detecting an enzymatic activity, the method including combining at least one magnetic particle to an enzyme substrate to form a magnetically modified substrate, reacting the magnetically modified substrate with at least one enzyme; and detecting a change in a magnetic property of the magnetically modified substrate or its cleavage products, thereby detecting an activity of said at least one enzyme, wherein the method may be applied to a human subject to detect a disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatitis, arthritis, an injury, Dupuytren's disease, Peyronie's disease, a collagen related disease, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, metastasis, tissue regeneration, cancer, coronary disease, a liver disease, a metabolic condition, an infection and an inflammatory disease.

The present application concerns multimodal composite products for imaging, in particular for diagnostic imaging, and optionally for therapy, in particular composite products which are capable of being used as contrast agents, in particular in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or in imaging techniques such as, for example, in optical imaging, in the optical detection of oxidants, in positron emission tomography (PET), in tomodensitometry (TDM) and/or in ultrasound imaging, and optionally simultaneously for use in therapy. These products are based on a particle comprising or consisting of a portion provided with a contrast agent activity and/or a paramagnetic activity, and a portion provided with a luminescent activity and optionally an oxidant detection activity.

A submicron structure includes a silica body defining a plurality of pores that are suitable to receive molecules therein, the silica body further defining an outer surface between pore openings of the plurality of pores; and a plurality of anionic molecules attached to the outer surface of the silica body. The anionic molecules provide hydrophilicity to the submicron structure and are suitable to provide repulsion between other similar submicron structures, and the submicron structure has a maximum dimension less than one micron.

Ferritin or iron-based image enhancement agents identify target tissue for treatment or ablation and are heated by microwave absorption. Microwave heat substrates enhance microwave hyperthermal ablation treatment, and may be percutaneously delivered and imaged by x-ray CT during placement of the microwave treatment antenna, allowing more precise positioning and more complete ablation of a tumor site. One method of treating a target tissue uses image-guided delivery of a heat substrate with a reverse-phase change polymer, and may apply energy to fix a mass of the material in the tissue. The fixed polymer may increase hyperthermia, form a thermal boundary, or blockade a vessel or passage so as to reduce or prevent undesired conductive cooling by contiguous tissue, or may deliver a localized treatment drug at the site, upon heating or as it degrades over time.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of composites and compositions that can be used for therapeutic applications in vivo and/or in vitro. The disclosed composites can comprise cores having magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, or combinations thereof and zwitterionic polymeric coatings that facilitate solubility and bioconjugation. The compositions disclosed herein can comprise the composites and one or more biomolecules, drugs, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composites, composite components, and methods of making quantum dots for use in the composites.