Cellular Imaging of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis Using Magnetofluorescent Nanomaterials
Objective: Magnetofluorescent nanoparticles (MFNPs) offer the ability to image cellular inflammation in vivo. To better understand their cellular targeting and imaging capabilities in atherosclerosis, we investigated prototypical dextran-coated near-infrared fluorescent MFNPs in the apolipoprotein E...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2006-04-01
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| Series: | Molecular Imaging |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2006.00009 |
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| Summary: | Objective: Magnetofluorescent nanoparticles (MFNPs) offer the ability to image cellular inflammation in vivo. To better understand their cellular targeting and imaging capabilities in atherosclerosis, we investigated prototypical dextran-coated near-infrared fluorescent MFNPs in the apolipoprotein E-deficient (apo E−/−) mouse model. Methods and Results: In vitro MFNP uptake was highest in activated murine macrophages ( p < .001). Apo E−/− mice ( n = 11) were next injected with the MFNP (15 mg/kg iron) or saline. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated strong plaque enhancement by the MFNPs ( p < .001 vs. saline), which was confirmed by multimodality ex vivo MRI and fluorescence reflectance imaging. On fluorescence microscopy, MFNPs were found in cellular-rich areas of atheroma and colocalized with immunofluorescent macrophages over endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells ( p < .001). Conclusions: Here we show that (1) the in vitro and in vivo cellular distribution of atherosclerosis-targeted MFNPs can be quantified by using fluorescence imaging methods; (2) in atherosclerosis, dextranated MFNPs preferentially target macrophages; and (3) MFNP deposition in murine atheroma can be noninvasively detected by in vivo MRI. This study thus provides a foundation for using MFNPs to image genetic and/or pharmacological perturbations of cellular inflammation in experimental atherosclerosis and for the future development of novel targeted nanomaterials for atherosclerosis. |
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| ISSN: | 1536-0121 |