title: Molecular targeting of lymph nodes with L-selectin ligand-specific US contrast agent: a feasibility study in mice and dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of using intravenously administered L-selectin ligand-specific polymer-stabilized air-filled microparticles (MPs) for active targeting of peripheral lymph nodes under normal conditions in animal models.
  
  
  METHODS
  L-selectin ligand-specific MPs and two control substances (immunoglobulin M-isotype MPs and native MPs) were each administered in three conscious mice as a single intravenous bolus injection (1.4 x 10(7) MPs/kg). All mice were sacrificed 30 minutes after administration. Lymph nodes (cervical, inguinal, axillary, popliteal, mesenteric), spleen (positive control), and kidney (blood pool control) were removed and examined for MP-related stimulated acoustic emission (SAE) signals by using harmonic color Doppler ultrasonography (US) in a tank containing degassed water. A second experiment was performed in six anesthetized beagle dogs by using the same MP formulation. Each of the MP formulations was administered in two anesthetized dogs as a single intravenous bolus injection (1 x 10(7) MPs/kg). The popliteal lymph nodes, spleen (positive control), and kidney (blood pool control) were examined in vivo with US for MP-related SAE signals 30 minutes after administration. Fisher exact test for the one-side alternative was used for mouse data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lymph nodes of all mice (P =.05) and the popliteal lymph nodes of both dogs treated with L-selectin ligand-specific MPs showed clear MP-related SAE signals, whereas the lymph nodes of all mice and the popliteal lymph nodes of four dogs that received the control substances did not show any SAE signals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of an intravenously administered L-selectin ligand-specific US contrast agent is feasible for active lymph node targeting in mice and dogs.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratories, Schering, Müllerstrasse 178, D-13342 Berlin, Germany. peter.hauff@schering.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hauff
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Briel
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Debus
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schirner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D045423:Microbubbles; D011108:Polymers; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003287:Contrast Media; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011108:Polymers; D019041:L-Selectin