NIR-II scattering gold superclusters for intravascular optical coherence tomography molecular imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) currently provides only anatomical imaging of blood vessels.
• Molecular characterization of the endothelium is needed for earlier detection and risk stratification of vascular diseases.
• A specialized IV-OCT contrast agent is required for molecular imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize gold superclusters (AuSCs) as a novel contrast agent for molecular IV-OCT imaging.
• To functionalize AuSCs for targeting specific vascular markers.
• To evaluate the efficacy of AuSCs in detecting intravascular inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of aqueously dispersible gold superclusters (AuSCs) with plasmon hybridization for enhanced light scattering at the IV-OCT laser line.
• Polymer coating of AuSCs for uniformity and functionalization.
• Targeting AuSCs to P-selectin, an early marker of vascular inflammation.
• In vivo testing in a rat model of intravascular inflammation using IV-OCT.

Main Results:

• AuSCs demonstrated maximized light scattering at ~1,350 nm, suitable for IV-OCT.
• P-selectin-targeted AuSCs enabled molecular imaging in a rat model.
• The IV-OCT signal strength correlated with the severity of experimentally induced vascular inflammation.

Conclusions:

• P-selectin-targeted AuSCs are a viable contrast agent for molecular IV-OCT imaging.
• This technology facilitates early detection and risk stratification of vascular inflammation.
• AuSCs represent a significant advancement in cardiovascular disease diagnostics.