Technical Report abstract
Nature Medicine 13, 1253 - 1258 (2007)
Published online: 23 September 2007 | doi:10.1038/nm1631
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of acute brain inflammation using microparticles of iron oxide
Martina A McAteer1,4, Nicola R Sibson2,4, Constantin von zur Muhlen1, Jurgen E Schneider1, Andrew S Lowe2, Nicholas Warrick1, Keith M Channon1, Daniel C Anthony3 & Robin P Choudhury1
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that is associated with leukocyte recruitment and subsequent inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. Endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and its ligand, 
4
1 integrin, are key mediators of leukocyte recruitment, and selective inhibitors that bind to the 4 subunit of 41 substantially reduce clinical relapse in multiple sclerosis. Urgently needed is a molecular imaging technique to accelerate diagnosis, to quantify disease activity and to guide specific therapy. Here we report in vivo detection of VCAM-1 in acute brain inflammation, by magnetic resonance imaging in a mouse model, at a time when pathology is otherwise undetectable. Antibody-conjugated microparticles carrying a large amount of iron oxide provide potent, quantifiable contrast effects that delineate the architecture of activated cerebral blood vessels. Their rapid clearance from blood results in minimal background contrast. This technology is adaptable to monitor the expression of endovascular molecules in vivo in various pathologies.
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
- Experimental Neuroimaging Group, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.
- Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Robin P Choudhury1 e-mail: robin.choudhury@cardiov.ox.ac.uk
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