Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis Using Small-Peptide Targeting Ligands Against Endothelial Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Federico Moccetti, Craig C. Weinkauf, Brian P. Davidson, J. Todd Belcik, Edmund R. Marinelli, Evan Unger, Jonathan R. Lindner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a panel of endothelium-targeted microbubble (MB) ultrasound contrast agents bearing small peptide ligands as a human-ready approach for molecular imaging of markers of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque. Small peptide ligands with established affinity for human P-selectin, VCAM-1, LOX-1 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were conjugated to the surface of lipid-stabilized MBs. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) molecular imaging of the thoracic aorta was performed in wild-type and gene-targeted mice with advanced atherosclerosis (DKO). Histology was performed on carotid endarterectomy samples from patients undergoing surgery for unstable atherosclerosis to assess target expression in humans. In DKO mice, CEUS signal for all four targeted MBs was significantly higher than that for control MBs, and was three to sevenfold higher than in wild-type mice, with the highest signal achieved for VCAM-1 and VWF. All molecular targets were present on the patient plaque surface but expression was greatest for VCAM-1 and VWF. We conclude that ultrasound contrast agents bearing small peptide ligands feasible for human use can be targeted against endothelial cell adhesion molecules for inflammatory cells and platelets for imaging advanced atherosclerotic disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1155-1163
Number of pages9
JournalUltrasound in Medicine and Biology
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound
  • Microbubbles
  • Molecular Imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Biophysics
  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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