Anti-connective tissue growth factor detects and reduces plaque inflammation in early-stage carotid atherosclerotic lesions

作者：Yao, Yuyu^*; Li, Bing; Fu, Cong; Teng, Gaojun; Ma, Genshan; Liu, Naifeng

来源：Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine , 2017, 13(8): 2385-2394.

DOI：10.1016/j.nano.2017.07.016

• Atherosclerotic plaque
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• CTGF
• Magnetic nanoparticles
• Inflammation

This study explored connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs) for noninvasive MRI of CTGF within carotid atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Anti-CTGF polyclonal and nonspecific IgG antibodies were conjugated to polyethylene glycol-coated USPIOs, and apoE(-/-) carotid partial ligation-model mice were imaged via MRI before and after contrast administration. ApoE(-/-) mice were treated with CTGF-neutralizing antibodies for 3 weeks. Carotid artery diameter and plaque volume were measured via MRI in IgG and CTGF antibody-treated groups. Anti-CTGF-USPIO-treated macrophages showed the greatest iron uptake. MRI signal loss was observed in carotid atherosclerotic lesions 24 h after anti-CTGF-USPIO administration, consistent with the presence of nanoparticles, as indicated by pathological examinations. Atheromata in anti-CTGF-treated mice showed reduced macrophage deposition, CTGF expression, and plaque volume. Anti-CTGF-USPIOs can be used for the direct detection of CTGF and imaging of atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. CTGF is a potential therapeutic target for treating atherosclerosis.

• 出版日期2017-11
• 单位东南大学