title: Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis with nanoparticle-based fluorinated MRI contrast agents.
abstract: As atherosclerosis remains one of the most prevalent causes of patient mortality, the ability to diagnose early signs of plaque rupture and thrombosis represents a significant clinical need. With recent advances in nanotechnology, it is now possible to image specific molecular processes noninvasively with MRI, using various types of nanoparticles as contrast agents. In the context of cardiovascular disease, it is possible to specifically deliver contrast agents to an epitope of interest for detecting vascular inflammatory processes, which serve as predecessors to atherosclerotic plaque development. Herein, we review various applications of nanotechnology in detecting atherosclerosis using MRI, with an emphasis on perfluorocarbon nanoparticles and fluorine imaging, along with theranostic prospects of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, Whitaker Hall, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors.forename: Rohun U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Palekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University, Campus Box 8215, 4320 Forest Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Jallouk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, Whitaker Hall, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.|Department of Medicine, Washington University, Campus Box 8215, 4320 Forest Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University, Campus Box 8215, 4320 Forest Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, Whitaker Hall, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.|Department of Medicine, Washington University, Campus Box 8215, 4320 Forest Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wickline
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: atherosclerosis; contrast agent; inflammation; theranostics; thrombosis