14 research outputs found
Imaging of Dysfunctional Elastogenesis in Atherosclerosis Using an Improved Gadolinium-Based Tetrameric MRI Probe Targeted to Tropoelastin
Dysfunctional elastin turnover plays a major role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Failure of tropoelastin cross-linking into mature elastin leads to the accumulation of tropoelastin within the growing plaque, increasing its instability. Here we present Gd4-TESMA, an MRI contrast agent specifically designed for molecular imaging of tropoelastin within plaques. Gd4-TESMA is a tetrameric probe composed of a tropoelastin-binding peptide (the VVGS-peptide) conjugated with four Gd(III)-DOTA-monoamide chelates. It shows a relaxivity per molecule of 34.0 ± 0.8 mM-1 s-1 (20 MHz, 298 K, pH 7.2), a good binding affinity to tropoelastin (KD = 41 ± 12 μM), and a serum half-life longer than 2 h. Gd4-TESMA accumulates specifically in atherosclerotic plaques in the ApoE-/- murine model of plaque progression, with 2 h persistence of contrast enhancement. As compared to the monomeric counterpart (Gd-TESMA), the tetrameric Gd4-TESMA probe shows a clear advantage regarding both sensitivity and imaging time window, allowing for a better characterization of atherosclerotic plaques
Development of polymeric nanoparticles for targeting and modulating macrophage functions
International audienc
Development of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 nanoparticles for application in chemotherapy: formulation study
International audienc
Development of polymeric nanoparticles for targeting and modulating macrophage functions
International audienc
Nanoparticles and macrophages enhance anticancer activity of vitamin D3 metabolites
International audienc
Development of a nanoparticle-based system for the delivery of retinoic acid into macrophages
International audienc
Development of nanoparticle delivery system for oral vaccination of dogs
International audienc
Development of polymeric nanoparticles for targeting and modulating macrophage functions
International audienc
Encapsulation of hydrophobic hapten enhances in vitro screening performance of non-soluble skin sensitizing
International audienc