HyperCEST detection of a 129Xe-based contrast agent composed of cryptophane-A molecular cages on a bacteriophage scaffold.

A hyperpolarized 129Xe contrast agent composed of many cryptophane-A molecular cages assembled on an M13 bacteriophage has been demonstrated. Saturation of xenon bound in the large number of cryptophane cages is transferred to the pool of aqueous-solvated xenon via chemical exchange, resulting in efficient generation of hyperCEST contrast. No significant loss of contrast per cryptophane cage was observed for the multivalent phage when compared with unscaffolded cryptophane. Detection of this phage-based hyperCEST agent is reported at concentrations as low as 230 fM, representing the current lower limit for NMR/MRI-based contrast agents.