Gd-encapsulated carbonaceous dots (Gd@C-dots) hold great potential in clinical translation as Ti contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. However, current synthetic techniques yield particles with poor size control; hence, time-consuming size selection is often needed to obtain particles of desired sizes. Disclosed is a process whereby mesoporous silica nanoparticles are used as templates for size-controlled synthesis of Gd@C-dots. The disclosed methods involve calcining a mixture comprising a mesoporous silica nanoparticle, a gadolinium-containing compound, and a chelator, thereby forming the nanoparticles of gadolinium within the mesoporous silica nanoparticle; and removing the mesoporous silica nanoparticle from the nanoparticles of gadolinium.

The invention relates to an enzymatically responsive product that includes an amino acid residue conjugated to a magnetic particle, wherein the amino acid residue is phosphorylated or sulfated or comprises an ester-moiety linked via peptide bond. Compositions containing the enzymatically responsive product, and the use thereof for separating distinct types of mammalian cells (e.g., cancer cells from normal cells), for treating a cancerous condition, and imaging cancer cells are also disclosed.

Cyclic D,L--peptides were shown to have an anti-amyloid aggregation effect. The cyclic peptide (designated cyclic peptide-2) having the sequence [1JwHsK], had a drastic effect on amyloid aggregation. However, the linear equivalent of cyclic peptide-2 did not inhibit amyloid formation. Cyclic peptide 2 was also effective in reducing A-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. According to embodiments of the invention, cyclic peptides may comprise between 6 or 8 amino acids. In an embodiment, half of the amino acid residues are in the D-formation, and the other half are in the L-formation. In an embodiment of the invention, the amino acids alternate between the D and L-formations.

Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides and their use in the detection and diagnosis of cancer are described. Also described are methods for detecting and staging cancer that use the compounds of the invention. Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides are useful for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to cells or tumors that express TRPV6.

Disclosed are peptides and peptidomimetics that in some embodiments include the amino acid sequence KRGARST or (SEQ ID NO: 1), AKRGARSTA or (SEQ ID NO: 2), or CKRGARSTC (SEQ ID NO: 3). Also disclosed are conjugates and compositions that include the peptides and/or peptidomimetics, methods for directing a moiety to tumor lymphatic vasculature, methods for imaging tumor lymphatic vasculature, methods for reducing or inhibiting tumor metastasis, methods for reducing the number of tumor lymphatic vessels, methods for treating cancer, methods for treating a disease or disorder associated with a gC1q/p32 receptor biological activity, methods for detecting the presence of a gC1q/p32 receptor, methods for detecting interactions between gC1q/p32 receptors and the presently disclosed conjugates and compositions, methods for delivering the presently disclosed conjugates and compositions to gC1q/p32 receptors, methods for assessing gC1q/p32 receptor levels in cells, methods for identifying subjects having diseases associated with gC1q/p32 receptor biological activities, and methods for screening for compounds that interact with gC1q/p32 receptors.

A conjugate for treating an individual suffering from a disease, wherein the conjugate is comprised of: a targeting peptide comprising a sequence substantially identical to CAR, or a variant thereof; and at least one therapeutic molecule and methods for making and administering same. Also disclosed is a combination product for use in the treatment of a disease, wherein the combination product comprises: (a) a targeting peptide comprising a sequence substantially identical to CAR, or a variant thereof; (b) a liposome, wherein the targeting peptide is encapsulated within the liposome; and (c) an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent and methods for making and administering same.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of fluorescence detection, and specifically relates to a multi-modal molecular imaging nanoprobe for early warning and dynamic monitoring of atherosclerotic plaques and the use thereof. The multi-modal molecular imaging nanoprobe for early warning and dynamic monitoring of atherosclerotic plaques is Fe.sub.3O.sub.4-A12-Cy7. The probe of the present invention is Fe.sub.3O.sub.4-A12-Cy7, wherein protein A12 is a single-domain antibody that can specifically bind to PlexinD1, that is, probe Fe.sub.3O.sub.4-A12-Cy7 can specifically bind to PlexinD1, thus achieving the optimization of the target. According to the present invention, FLI/MPI/CTA is fused to form multi-modal imaging. The multi-modal imaging has the advantages of a high sensitivity and a high spatial resolution, can realize early warning and dynamic monitoring of atherosclerotic plaques, and can also visually reflect 3D stereoscopic imaging, thereby providing theoretical support and technical support for basic research.

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.