title: CD44 targeting magnetic glyconanoparticles for atherosclerotic plaque imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cell surface adhesion molecule CD44 plays important roles in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. We aim to develop nanoparticles that can selectively target CD44 for the non-invasive detection of atherosclerotic plaques by magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic glyconanoparticles with hyaluronan immobilized on the surface have been prepared. The binding of these nanoparticles with CD44 was evaluated in vitro by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of plaques was performed on an atherosclerotic rabbit model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The magnetic glyconanoparticles can selectively bind CD44. In T2* weighted magnetic resonance images acquired in vivo, significant contrast changes in aorta walls were observed with a very low dose of the magnetic nanoparticles, allowing the detection of atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, imaging could be performed without significant delay after probe administration. The selectivity of hyaluronan nanoparticles in plaque imaging was established by several control experiments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic nanoparticles bearing surface hyaluronan enabled the imaging of atherosclerotic plaques in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging. The low dose of nanoparticles required, the possibility to image without much delay and the high biocompatibility are the advantages of these nanoparticles as contrast agents for plaque imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, Chemistry Building, Room 426, 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: El-Dakdouki
authors.forename: Kheireddine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El-Boubbou
authors.forename: Medha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamat
authors.forename: Ruiping
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Abela
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiupel
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xuefei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid