T1-weighted MRI of targeting atherosclerotic plaque based on CD40 expression on engulfed USPIO's cell surface

Abstract Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol within the arterial wall. Its progression can be monitored via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Particles of Iron Oxide (USPIO) (<5 nm) have been employed as T1 contrast agents for MRI applications. In this study, we synthesized USPIO with an average surface carboxylation of approximately 5.28 nm and a zeta potential of −47.8 mV. These particles were phagocytosed by mouse aortic endothelial cells (USPIO-MAECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (USPIO-EPCs), suggesting that they can be utilized as potential contrast agent and delivery vehicle for the early detection of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism by which this contrast agent is delivered to the plaque remains undetermined. Our results demonstrated that with increasing USPIO concentration during 10–100 μg ml −1 , consistent change appeared in signal enhancement on T1-weighted MRI. Similarly, T1-weighted MRI of MAECs and EPCs treated with these concentrations exhibited a regular change in signal enhancement. Prussian blue staining of USPIO revealed substantial absorption into MAECs and EPCs after treatment with 50 μg ml −1 USPIO for 24 h. The iron content in USPIO-EPCs was much higher (5 pg Fe/cell) than in USPIO-MAECs (0.8 pg Fe/cell). In order to substantiate our hypothesis that CD40 protein on the cell surface facilitates migration towards inflammatory cells, we utilized AuNPs-PEI (gold nanoparticles-polyethylenimine) carrying siRNA CD40 to knockout CD40 expression in MAECs. It has been documented that gold nanoparticle-oligonucleotide complexes could be employed as intracellular gene regulation agents for the control of protein level in cells. Our results confirmed that macrophages are more likely to bind to MAECs treated with AuNPs-PEI-siRNA NC (control) for 72 h than to MAECs treated with AuNPs-PEI-siRNA CD40 (reduced CD40 expression), thus confirming CD40 targeting at the cellular level. When USPIO-MAECs and MAECs (control) were delivered to mice (high-fat-fed) via tail vein injection respectively, we observed a higher iron accumulation in plaques on blood vessels in high-fat-fed mice treated with USPIO-MAECs. We also demonstrated that USPIO-EPCs, when delivered to high-fat-fed mice via tail vein injection, could indeed label plaques by generating higher T1-weighted MRI signals 72 h post injection compared to controls (PBS, USPIO and EPCs alone). In conclusion, we synthesized a USPIO suitable for T1-weighted MRI. Our results have confirmed separately at the cellular and tissue and in vivo level, that USPIO-MAECs or USPIO-EPCs are more accessible to atherosclerotic plaques in a mouse model. Furthermore, the high expression of CD40 on the cell surface is a key factor for targeting and USPIO-EPCs may have potential therapeutic effects.