Structure–Relaxivity Relationships among Targeted MR Contrast Agents

Paramagnetic gadolinium(III) complexes are widely used to increase contrast in magnetic resonance (MR) images. Contrast enhancement depends on the concentration of the gadolinium complex and on its relaxivity, an inherent property of the complex. Increased relaxivity results in greater image contrast or the ability to detect the contrast agent at a lower concentration. Increasing relaxivity enables imaging of abundant molecular targets.Relaxivity depends on the structure of the complex, kinetics of inner-sphere and second sphere water exchange, and on the rotational dynamics of the molecule. The latter, and in some cases the former, properties of the complex change when it is bound to its target. All of these properties can be rationally tuned to enhance relaxivitry. In this Microreview we summarize our efforts in understanding and optimizing the relaxivity of contrast agents targeted to serum albumin and to fibrin.