Use of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Particles for Imaging Carotid Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Based on the results of histopathological studies, inflammation within atherosclerotic tissue is now widely accepted as a key determinant of the disease process. Conventional imaging methods can highlight the location and degree of luminal stenosis but not the inflammatory activity of the plaque. Iron oxide-based MRI contrast media particularly ultrasmall supermagnetic particles of iron oxide have shown potential in assessing atheromatous plaque inflammation and in determining efficacy of antiatherosclerosis pharmacological treatments. In this paper, we review current data on the use of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides in atherosclerosis imaging with focus on ferumoxtran-10 and ferumoxytol. The basic chemistry, pharmacokinetics and dynamics, potential applications, limitations and future perspectives of these contrast media nanoparticles are discussed.

The effect of size and surface ligands of iron oxide nanoparticles on blood compatibility

“…Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) play an important role in biomedicine due to their characteristics of simple preparation, uniform size distribution, good biocompatibility 1 and the possibility of functional surfaces [2][3][4] for applications such as tumour or vascular imaging, drug delivery, gene therapy, hyperthermia, in vitro tracking of labelled cells, magnetic separation of cells or molecules and iron supplementation in anaemia patients. [5][6][7] Recent research found that iron oxide nanoparticles are capable of activating toll-like receptor-4 signalling and interacting with macrophages to regulate the immune system.…”

Heat-induced radiolabeling and fluorescence labeling of Feraheme nanoparticles for PET/SPECT imaging and flow cytometry

“…FH NPs have been used to image monocyte infiltration in the pancreas in type 1 diabetes 11 , in the heart during myocardial infarction 12 , and in cerebral aneurysms 13,14 . USPIOs similar to FH NPs have been used to image monocyte infiltration in multiple sclerosis, even with an intact blood–brain barrier 15,16 , and in carotid atherosclerotic plaques (for a review, see Usman et al 17 ).…”

How to Look Closely to Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Nanoparticles

“…With this in mind, in 2001 Ruehm and colleagues have presented a complete study proving that USPIO can outline the inflammatory changes along the atherosclerotic disease process in hyperlipidemic rabbits due to the accumulation of these particles in the macrophages inside atherosclerotic plaques [18]. Different studies have been done in humans using USPIO [19,20]. Clinical studies using USPIO have already been performed and confirmed USPIO accumulation in macrophages of ruptured and rupture-prone human carotid atherosclerotic lesions in MRI images [21][22][23].…”