title: Lipoproteins and lipoprotein mimetics for imaging and drug delivery.
abstract: Lipoproteins are a set of natural nanoparticles whose main role is the transport of fats within the body. While much work has been done to develop synthetic nanocarriers to deliver drugs or contrast media, natural nanoparticles such as lipoproteins represent appealing alternatives. Lipoproteins are biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic and are naturally targeted to some disease sites. Lipoproteins can be modified to act as contrast agents in many ways, such as by insertion of gold cores to provide contrast for computed tomography. They can be loaded with drugs, nucleic acids, photosensitizers or boron to act as therapeutics. Attachment of ligands can re-route lipoproteins to new targets. These attributes render lipoproteins attractive and versatile delivery vehicles. In this review we will provide background on lipoproteins, then survey their roles as contrast agents, in drug and nucleic acid delivery, as well as in photodynamic therapy and boron neutron capture therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute for Bionanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: C Shad
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Thaxton
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute for Bionanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rink
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Pratap C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Naha
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: david.cormode@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cormode
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008024:Ligands; D008074:Lipoproteins; D006046:Gold
keywords: Computed tomography; Drug delivery; Fluorescence imaging; High-density lipoprotein; Low-density lipoprotein; MRI; Photodynamic therapy; siRNA