Improved liposomes-based Ca(II) responsive MRI contrast agents

This contribution reports a methodology that enables the preparation of paramagnetic liposomes loaded with an amphiphilic ligand capable to coordinate selectively and sequentially Gd(III) and Ca(II) ions, respectively. The presence of Gd(III) imparts the ability to generate MRI contrast, which is remarkably boosted (ca. 400) by the coordination of Ca(II), thus improving the calcium responsiveness of the nanoprobes with respect similar agents previously investigated