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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Synthesis of Monocyte-targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Imaging of Atherosclerosis
Published on: November 17, 2017
An ApoA-I mimetic peptide high-density-lipoprotein-based MRI contrast agent for atherosclerotic plaque composition
David P Cormode1, Karen C Briley-Saebo, Willem J M Mulder
1Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box 1234, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is one of the prime causes of mortality throughout the world and there is a need for targeted and effective contrast agents to allow noninvasive imaging of the cholesterol-rich atherosclerotic plaques in arteries. A new, fully synthetic, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mimicking MRI contrast agent is developed, which enhances macrophage-rich areas of plaque in a mouse model of atherosclerosis by 94%. Confirmation of the targeting of this nanoparticulate agent is achieved using confocal microscopy by tracking a fluorescent lipid incorporated into the nanoparticle.
