State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
Biomaterials. 2013 Jan;34(1):209-16. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.09.025. Epub 2012 Oct 12.
Macrophages have become widely recognized as a key target for atherosclerosis imaging, since they contribute significantly to the progression of atherosclerosis. Dual-modal imaging contrast agents with unique X-ray computed tomography (CT) and optical imaging capabilities have great potential in disease diagnosis because of complementary combination of the high spatial resolution of CT with the high sensitivity of optical imaging. Here, a kind of quantum dots (QDs)-iodinated oil nanoemulsion of 80 nm was developed as a CT/fluorescence dual-modal contrast agent. Hydrophobic QDs were embedded in iodinated oil, which subsequently dispersed in water to form the oil-in-water nanoemulsion. The morphology and hydrodynamic size of the nanoemulsion were characterized, CT values and fluorescence properties were detected. Its cytotoxicity and affinity to three different cells were determined in vitro by MTT assay. In vitro Micro-CT and confocal microscopy cell imaging ability of the nanoemulsion were confirmed by co-incubating with murine macrophage cells and human liver cells. Then in vivo accumulation of this nanoemulsion in macrophages in atherosclerotic rabbits was investigated with clinic CT and fluorescence imaging. The results not only indicated the nanoemulsion could be served as a dual-modal contrast agent, but revealed it could specifically target to macrophages and visualize atherosclerotic plaques.
巨噬细胞已被广泛认为是动脉粥样硬化成像的一个关键靶点，因为它们对动脉粥样硬化的进展有重要贡献。具有独特 X 射线计算机断层扫描 (CT) 和光学成像能力的双模式成像对比剂在疾病诊断中具有很大的潜力，因为 CT 的高空间分辨率与光学成像的高灵敏度互补结合。在这里，开发了一种 80nm 的量子点 (QD)-碘油纳米乳液作为 CT/荧光双模式对比剂。疏水性 QD 嵌入碘油中，然后分散在水中形成油包水纳米乳液。对纳米乳液的形态和流体动力学尺寸进行了表征，检测了 CT 值和荧光特性。通过 MTT 测定法在体外测定了其细胞毒性和对三种不同细胞的亲和力。通过与鼠巨噬细胞和人肝细胞共孵育，体外 Micro-CT 和共聚焦显微镜细胞成像能力得到了证实。然后用临床 CT 和荧光成像研究了这种纳米乳液在动脉粥样硬化兔巨噬细胞中的体内积累情况。结果不仅表明纳米乳液可以作为双模式对比剂，还表明它可以特异性地靶向巨噬细胞并可视化动脉粥样硬化斑块。
