Nanoparticle-based imaging systems are increasingly used for tumor diagnosis and in vivo cell tracking due to their tunable physicochemical properties and high imaging sensitivity. Among inorganic platforms, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) represent two major classes whose performance is governed by nano-micro structural design, in vivo transport behavior, and signal stability. Imaging efficiency arises from the coupling between signal-generation mechanisms and biological transport processes, which impose constraints on nanoparticle size, surface chemistry, and structural integrity. AuNP-based systems utilize core-shell architectures and chelator-free radionuclide embedding to achieve high signal stability and quantitative accuracy, particularly in PET imaging. In contrast, MSNs offer tunable pore structures and surface functionality, enabling multifunctional integration of imaging and therapeutic components, although signal performance depends on the properties of incorporated agents. Comparative analysis reveals a trade-off between signal robustness and structural versatility: AuNPs provide superior quantitative reliability, whereas MSNs enable flexible multifunctional design. Key challenges remain, including intracellular signal loss, variability in in vivo transport, and translational limitations related to scalability and reproducibility. Future nanoparticle imaging platforms require integrated design strategies that link structural engineering with transport behavior to achieve reliable and clinically translatable outcomes.
Sang Bong Lee (Mon,) studied this question.