In vivo MRI detection of carotid atherosclerotic lesions and kidney inflammation in ApoE-deficient mice by using LOX-1 targeted iron nanoparticles

Abstract Lectin-like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor 1 (LOX-1) plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque initiation, formation and rupture, as well as in hyperlipidemia-induced glomerular disease. Here we report a sensitive, specific and biocompatible LOX-1-targeted-USPIO for the noninvasive MR imaging of LOX-1 within carotid atherosclerotic lesions and glomerular disease in apoE-deficient mice. In vitro analysis showed the highest uptake of targeted USPIOs in only activated RAW264.7 macrophages, and in vivo MRI studies showed signal loss in carotid atherosclerotic lesions after administration of targeted USPIOs at 8 h and 24 h. These areas of signal loss were correlated with the presence of nanoparticles in the atherosclerotic lesions, and immunohistochemistry and Perl’s staining confirmed the co-localization of the LOX-1/macrophages/MMP-9 and targeted nanoparticles. Finally, additional studies suggest that this targeted probe may have potential to noninvasively image early glomerular disease. This finding may provide important methods for characterizing vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and hyperlipidemia-induced glomerular diseases. From the Clinical Editor A functionalized USPIO-based negative contrast material was used in this study, demonstrating feasibility of sensitive MRI-based detection of atherosclerotic plaque formation in the carotid arteries and in the renal cortex, paving the way to potential future clinical applications.