A light-activated theranostic nanoagent was highly phototoxic to murine macrophages in vitro (LD50 430 pM) and eradicated inflammatory macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions upon 650 nm irradiation.
Does a light-activated theranostic nanoagent eradicate inflammatory macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions in a murine model?
A novel light-activated theranostic nanoagent successfully images and eradicates inflammatory macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions in a preclinical model, offering a potential targeted therapy for plaque stabilization.
The synthesis and utility of a multimodal theranostic nanoagent based upon magnetofluorescent nanoparticles for the treatment of inflammatory atherosclerosis is described. These particles are modified with near-infrared fluorophores and light-activated therapeutic moieties, which allow for the optical determination of agent localization and phototoxic activation at spectrally distinct wavelengths. The resulting agent is readily taken up by murine macrophages in vitro and is highly phototoxic, with an LD(50) of 430 pM. Intravenous administration results in the localization of the nanoagent within macrophage-rich atherosclerotic lesions that can be imaged by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Irradiation of the atheroma with 650 nm light activates the therapeutic component and results in eradication of inflammatory macrophages, which may induce lesion stabilization. Importantly, these agents display limited skin photosensitivity, are highly efficacious, and provide an integrated imaging and therapeutic nanoplatform for atherosclerosis.
McCarthy et al. (Wed,) conducted a other in Inflammatory atherosclerosis. Light-activated theranostic nanoagent was evaluated on Macrophage ablation and phototoxicity. A light-activated theranostic nanoagent was highly phototoxic to murine macrophages in vitro (LD50 430 pM) and eradicated inflammatory macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions upon 650 nm irradiation.