Abstract
The hallmark of atherosclerosis in its early pathogenic process is the overexpression of class A scavenger receptors (SR-A) by activated macrophages. In this study, dextran sulfate-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (DS-SPIONs), as a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent of atherosclerosis, was prepared via the facile co-precipitation method using a versatile double-hydrophilic block copolymer comprising of a DS segment (ligand for SR-A) and a poly(glyclerol methacrylate) segment (SPIONs surface-anchoring unit). The physicochemical properties of the DS-SPIONs were investigated using various instruments. DS-SPIONs exhibited high aqueous stability compared to dextran-coated SPIONs (Dex-SPIONs), which were used as controls. The cellular uptake behaviors of DS-SPIONs and Dex-SPIONs were evaluated using Prussian blue assay. Interestingly, the DS-SPIONs were effectively taken up by activated macrophages compared to Dex-SPIONs. However, the cellular uptake of DS-SPIONs by activated macrophages was remarkably reduced in the presence of free DS. These results suggest that activated macrophages internalize DS-SPIONs via receptor (SR-A)-mediated endocytosis. T2-weighted MR imaging of the cells demonstrated that activated macrophages treated with DS-SPIONs showed a significantly lower signal intensity compared to those treated with Dex-SPIONs. Overall, these results suggest that DS-SPIONs may be utilized as a potential contrast agent for atherosclerosis MR imaging.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1225-1233 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Carbohydrate Polymers |
Volume | 101 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was financially supported by the Basic Science Research Programs ( 20100027955 & 2012012827 ) of MEST.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Contrast agent
- Dextran sulfate
- Double hydrophilic copolymer
- Magnetic resonance imaging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry