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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Polarization and Characterization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages on Implant Surfaces
Published on: December 6, 2024
Optical/MRI dual-modality imaging of M1 macrophage polarization in atherosclerotic plaque with MARCO-targeted
Yabin Wang1, Yan Zhang2, Zhao Wang3
1Department of Cardiology & National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disease, 2nd Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China; Department of Cardiology, Chinese Eastern Theatre Naval Hospital, Zhejiang, 316000, China.
Abstract:
Pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage is identified as a prominent component initializing the progress of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Here, we constructed anti-MARCO NaGdF4:Yb,Er@NaGdF4 upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) by conjugating polyclonal MARCO antibody to the surface of NaGdF4:Yb,Er@NaGdF4via condensation reaction. UCNPs displayed highly mono-dispersion with average sizes of 26.7 ± 0.8 nm and favorable biocompatibility. In vivo upconversion optical imaging revealed that distinctive fluorescence signal could be observed in the regions of carotid artery 10 min post-injection, reached peak value at 1 h and decreased back to baseline at 24 h post-injection. The carotid artery wall demonstrated high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images after anti-MARCO UCNPs injection, as determined by 7.0T MRI. Immunofluorescence staining of tissue section of carotid artery revealed that MARCO was highly abundant in shoulder regions of plaque. Anti-MARCO UCNPs is a promising optical/MRI dual-modality imaging probe which can non-invasively reflect M1 phenotype macrophages behavior in vivo.
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