Atherosclerosis is characterized by the formation of fatty plaque deposits within the vasculature. With increasing plaque buildup, the affected arteries may harden and narrow leading to complications such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and other cardiovascular events. The complex nature of plaque makes lesion-targeting imaging, and subsequently early detection, difficult. Because of this, atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an ideal modality for vascular imaging; however, the limitations of contrast agents hinder its overall efficacy.
Researchers at Arizona State University previously developed a novel therapeutic delivery platform featuring monocyte cloaked nanoparticles (MoNPs). This platform mimics the critical features of circulating monocytes, enabling active targeting towards blood vessels affected by atherosclerosis. By harnessing that MoNP platform, they have developed novel nanoparticles to deliver magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents specifically to the inflamed endothelium lining of atherosclerotic lesions. These contrast agent-modified nanoparticles allow for earlier and better detection of atherosclerosis.
These composite nanoparticles actively target atherosclerotic lesions enabling effective targeting and MR imaging for early detection and treatment.
Potential Applications
- Imaging of atherosclerotic lesions using MRI
- Diagnostics
- Screening
- Therapeutic monitoring
- May enable simultaneous imaging and treatment
- May work with other inflammatory diseases as well
Benefits and Advantages
- The nanoparticles not only retain critical surface markers associated with monocytes, but also maintain ideal physicochemical properties
- The monocyte cloaking induces preferential uptake to inflamed endothelium as well as phagocytic evasion
- Capable of targeting inflamed endothelium in vitro, but also capable of binding to atherosclerotic regions to induce contrast in vivo
- Increase circulation time, plasma half-life and internalization efficiency of the vasculature
- Decreased clearance rates to the kidney and spleen
- Increased relaxivity of these nanoparticles allows for decreased effective dosages to induce contrast
- May allow for simultaneous imaging and treatment of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see