Formation of gadolinium–ferritin from clinical magnetic resonance contrast agents

Abstract

Gadolinium deposition in the brain following administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has led to health concerns. We show that some clinical GBCAs form Gd(3+)-ferritin nanoparticles at (sub)nanomolar concentrations of Gd(3+) under physiological conditions.

We describe their structure at atomic resolution and discuss potential relevance for clinical MRI.

Keywords

• MRI
• gadolinium-based contrast agents
• gadolinium deposition
• brain imaging
• complex stability
• ferritin
• nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
• high signal intensity
• dentate nucleus
• Globus-pallidus
• iron
• apoferritin
• retention