Nanoparticles as contrast agents for MRI of atherosclerotic lesions

• Published in: Clinical Medicine Insights. Cardiology 2008-01, Vol.2008 (1), p.CMC.S642
• Main Authors: Juan Carlos Frías, Michael Joseph Lipinski, María Teresa Albelda, Borja Ibáñez, Conxa Soriano, Enrique García-España, Luis Jesús Jiménez-Borreguero, Juan José Badimon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1179-5468; 1178-1165; 1179-5468; 1178-1165
• DOI: 10.4137/CMC.S642

Juan Carlos Frías1, Michael Joseph Lipinski2, María Teresa Albelda1, Borja Ibáñez3, Conxa Soriano1, Enrique García-España1, Luis Jesús Jiménez-Borreguero4 and Juan José Badimon3 1Instituto de Ciencia Molecular, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain, 2Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA, 3The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA, 4Departamento de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain Abstract Nanoparticle contrast agents for MRI may aid in identifying atherosclerotic lesions that give rise to ischemic events by means of penetration and retention in the plaque. These imaging agents may provide valuable information regarding plaque characteristics which can help determine the risk of plaque rupture. By increasing molecular flexibility or adding a means of specifically targeting ligands via antibody or peptide, nanoparticles can enhance certain regions of the atherosclerotic plaque. The development of single contrast agents detectable with multiple imaging modalities may further improve our ability to detect and characterize atherosclerosis in clinical and preclinical applications. These exciting developments may help in the realization of MRI as a powerful tool in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.