The invention provides a novel class of clearable, tumor-targeting and human protein-based MRI nanoprobes and contrast agents and their compositions, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

The invention provides a novel class of clearable, tumor-targeting and human protein-based MRI nanoprobes and contrast agents and their compositions, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

This invention relates to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by administering compositions that increase the activity of a small proline-rich repeat 1 A protein (Sprr1A), or derivative thereof to the brain. Specifically, the compositions may comprise a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Sprr1A protein or a biologically-active portion thereof. The neurodegenerative disease may be Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury.

This invention relates to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by administering compositions that increase the activity of a small proline-rich repeat 1 A protein (Sprr1A), or derivative thereof to the brain. Specifically, the compositions may comprise a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Sprr1A protein or a biologically-active portion thereof. The neurodegenerative disease may be Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury.

Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Provided are macrocyclic compounds and compounds with two or more macrocyclic groups, iron coordinated macrocyclic compounds, and iron coordinated compounds with two or more macrocyclic groups. The iron is high-spin iron(III). The iron coordinated compounds may exhibit a negative redox potential (e.g., relative to a normal hydrogen electrode at a biologically relevant pH, for example, a pH of 6.5-7.5). The compounds can be used as MRI contrast agents.

The present application provides surface-modified novel targeting GVs (such as PH-GVs), lipid GVs and lipid targeting GVs, preparation methods therefor, and applications thereof in tumor diagnosis, imaging and treatment.

Cyclen based compounds of general formula (I) are disclosed. X is nitrogen and Y, Z are —CH—, or X, Z are —CH— and Y is nitrogen, or X, Y are —CH— and Z is nitrogen. R.sup.1 is independently selected from H; COOH; benzyloxycarbonyl; fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl; tert-butoxycarbonyl; methylcarbonyl; trifluoromethylcarbonyl; benzyl; triphenylmethyl; tosyl; mesyl; benzyloxymethyl; phenylsulfonyl; ethoxycarbonyl; 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl; methoxycarbonyl; methoxymethyloxycarbonyl; R.sup.2 is selected from H; methylcarbonyl; tert-butyldimethylsilyl; (C1-C4)alkyl; R.sub.3 is independently selected from H; (C1-C6)alkyl.

Cyclen based compounds of general formula (I) are disclosed. X is nitrogen and Y, Z are —CH—, or X, Z are —CH— and Y is nitrogen, or X, Y are —CH— and Z is nitrogen. R.sup.1 is independently selected from H; COOH; benzyloxycarbonyl; fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl; tert-butoxycarbonyl; methylcarbonyl; trifluoromethylcarbonyl; benzyl; triphenylmethyl; tosyl; mesyl; benzyloxymethyl; phenylsulfonyl; ethoxycarbonyl; 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl; methoxycarbonyl; methoxymethyloxycarbonyl; R.sup.2 is selected from H; methylcarbonyl; tert-butyldimethylsilyl; (C1-C4)alkyl; R.sub.3 is independently selected from H; (C1-C6)alkyl.