Modified lipoproteins as contrast agents for imaging of atherosclerosis

Abstract

The ability to detect and characterize atherosclerosis with targeted contrast agents may enable initiation of therapy for atherosclerotic lesions prior to becoming symptomatic. Since lipoproteins such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) play a critical role in the regulation of plaque biology through the transport of lipids into and out of atherosclerotic lesions, modifying HDL and LDL with radioisotopes for nuclear imaging, chelates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other possible contrast agents for computed tomography imaging techniques may aid in the detection and characterization of atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the literature employing lipoproteins as contrast agents for imaging atherosclerosis and the feasibility of this approach.

Multimodal CARS microscopy determination of the impact of diet on macrophage infiltration and lipid accumulation on plaque formation in ApoE-deficient mice

“…This complication is due to its asymptomatic nature, as vulnerable plaques grow without causing any detrimental side effects until rupture ( 1 ). Current arterial imaging techniques that are being used in the clinical setting provide information only at later stages of the disease process (e.g., stenosis and thrombus formation, by angiography and angioscopy, respectively) or produce limited information about the vessel wall and general tissue structure (e.g., intima-media thickness and presence of lipid-rich tissue, by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively) (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Although these techniques provide insight into the disease state, they are incapable of cellular-level resolution and typically require the addition of exogenous contrast agents ( 4,(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

Lipoprotein-Related and Apolipoprotein-Mediated Delivery Systems for Drug Targeting and Imaging

“…[92, 93]). A variety of different radionuclides, including 111In, 99mTc, 68Ga, 18F, were coupled to LDL as a tracer for the detection of atherosclerotic lesions.…”

Lipoprotein Structure and Dynamics: Low Density Lipoprotein Viewed as a Highly Dynamic and Flexible Nanoparticle

“…The intrinsic targeting properties of LDL to atherosclerotic plaques are already utilized for early diagnosis and detection of atherosclerotic lesions by different imaging modalities (for reviews see refs. [66,67]). However, to modify lipoprotein particles for medical purposes, care has to be taken not to compromise essential biophysical and structural features of LDL with the goal to preserve the biological activity.…”