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Published on: December 15, 2017
Multifunctional nanoprobes for macrophage imaging
Hongping Deng1, Li Xu2, Jingxuan Ju1
1Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
Abstract:
Imaging and tracking macrophage behaviors in vivo are essential to reveal its biological function and fate in various diseases. Small molecular probes suffer from poor macrophage targeting and retention, rapid clearance, and deficient metabolizing stability. To overcome these limitations, a variety of functional nanoprobes have been developed for targeted imaging of macrophages in divergent diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and obesity. Generally, nanoprobes are functionalized with targeting peptides, ligands or antibodies to fulfill high macrophage affinity. In this review, the most recent advances of nanoprobes for imaging macrophages in vivo and ex vivo are systematically summarized. The challenges and perspectives of precisely imaging macrophages with improved signal-to-background ratios via nanoprobes are further discussed.
Insights
Functional nanoprobes offer improved in vivo imaging of macrophage behavior, overcoming limitations of small molecular probes for better disease diagnosis and research. This review highlights recent advances and future directions in macrophage-targeted nanoprobe development.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Macrophage behavior imaging is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, and obesity.
- Small molecular probes have limitations including poor targeting, rapid clearance, and instability.
- Nanoprobes offer a promising alternative for enhanced macrophage imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advances in nanoprobes for in vivo and ex vivo macrophage imaging.
- To discuss challenges and future perspectives in precise macrophage imaging using nanoprobes.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of nanoprobes with targeting peptides, ligands, or antibodies for macrophage affinity.
- Systematic review of literature on recent nanoprobe developments for macrophage imaging.
- Analysis of strategies to improve signal-to-background ratios in macrophage imaging.
Main Results:
- Nanoprobes functionalized with targeting moieties demonstrate improved macrophage targeting and retention.
- Recent advances show diverse nanoprobe designs for various disease applications.
- Strategies for enhancing signal-to-background ratios are being actively developed.
Conclusions:
- Functional nanoprobes represent a significant advancement for in vivo macrophage imaging.
- Overcoming limitations of small molecular probes is key to understanding macrophage roles in disease.
- Further research is needed to optimize nanoprobe design for precise and sensitive macrophage visualization.
