IL-6-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for optimized MRI detection of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in rabbits

Figures

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  Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of Anti-IL-6-USPIO for targeted MR imaging of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in rabbits.

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  Fig. 1. TEM images of NC-USPIO (A) and Anti-IL-6-USPIO (B), saturation magnetization curve (C) of NC-USPIO and Anti-IL-6-USPIO, T2 MR images of Anti-IL-6-USPIO with different concentrations (D), and the correlation between different concentrations and 1/T2 in Anti-IL-6-USPIO and NC-USPIO (E).

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  Fig. 2. Prussian blue staining of macrophages incubated with LPS or without LPS for 24 h before various USPIOs were added (A), T2 MR images of induced macrophages incubated with various USPIOs for 12 h (B) and comparison of their rSIs (C), (1) to (6) are respectively Anti-IL-6-USPIO, NC-USPIO, competitive inhibiton, IgG-USPIO, Gd-DTPA and water, *P < 0.05 compared with Anti-IL-6-USPIO.

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  Fig. 3. T 2-weighted images at pre (A), 24 h (B) and 48 h (C) post injection of Anti-IL-6-USPIO. HE staining (D) shows the pathological section of the layer with plaque.

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  Fig. 4. T 2-weighted images after administration of Anti-IL-6-USPIO and NC-USPIO for 24 h (A1 and A3) and 48 h (A2 and A4) respectively, T1-weighted images after Gd-DTPA enhancement scan (A5) and T2-weighted images after plain scan (A6). Comparison of SNR in abdominal aortic walls 24 h and 48 h after injection of Anti-IL-6-USPIO and NC-USPIO in experimental group (B), *P < 0.01 vs. NC-USPIO group. Comparison of atherosclerotic and vulnerable plaques detection rate in three contrast agents respectively shows in left and right bars (C).