title: MRI detection of endothelial cell inflammation using targeted superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is currently no clinical imaging technique available to assess the degree of inflammation associated with atherosclerotic plaques. This study aims to develop targeted superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe for detecting inflamed endothelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The in vitro study consists of the characterisation and detection of inflammatory markers on activated endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and MRI using biotinylated anti-P-selectin and anti-VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) antibody and streptavidin conjugated SPIO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Established an in vitro cellular model of endothelial inflammation induced with TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha). Inflammation of endothelial cells was confirmed with both immunocytochemistry and MRI. These results revealed both a temporal and dose dependent expression of the inflammatory markers, P-selectin and VCAM-1, on exposure to TNF-α.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated the development of an in vitro model to characterise and detect inflamed endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and MRI. This will allow the future development of contrast agents and protocols for imaging vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis. This work may form the basis for a translational study to provide clinicians with a novel tool for the in vivo assessment of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. joycechan@me.com.|Regional Vascular Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College London, London, UK. joycechan@me.com.|Translational Molecular Imaging Group, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, Helios, 138667, Singapore. joycechan@me.com.
authors.forename: Joyce M S
authors.initials: JMS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Maggie S H
authors.initials: MSH
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Regional Vascular Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard G J
authors.initials: RGJ
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.affiliation: Translational Molecular Imaging Group, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, Helios, 138667, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kishore K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Bhakoo
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelial adhesion molecules; Inflammation imaging; MRI; Superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide; Vascular imaging