Fe3O4@M nanoparticles for MRI-targeted detection in the early lesions of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis can lead to most cardiovascular diseases. Although some biomimetic nanomaterials coated by macrophage membranes have been reported in previous studies of atherosclerosis, to our knowledge, no studies regarding the detection of early lesions of atherosclerosis (foam cells) using such a strategy have yet been reported. In the present study, Fe₃O₄ biomimetic nanoparticles coated with a macrophage membrane (Fe₃O₄@M) were prepared to investigate the imaging effect on the early lesions of atherosclerosis (foam cells). The results showed that the Fe₃O₄@M particles are spheres with average diameters of approximately 300 nm. T1 and T2 relaxation values showed that the ratio of r2 to r1 was 26.09. The protein content accounted for approximately 27% of the total weight in Fe₃O₄@M, and Fe₃O₄@M nanoparticles exhibited high biosafety. Further testing showed that Fe₃O₄@M effectively targets early atherosclerotic lesions by the specific recognition of integrin α4β1 to VCAM-1. Taken together, Fe₃O₄@M is a promising contrast agent for the diagnosis of early stage atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cell membrane; Fe(3)O(4); MRI; VCAM-1.