Renal inflammation: targeted iron oxide nanoparticles for molecular MR imaging in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the feasibility of T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the noninvasive quantification of renal inflammation by using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles targeted to tissue-bound C3 activation fragments in a mouse model of lupus nephritis.

Materials and methods

All animal procedures were approved by the University of Colorado-Denver animal care and use committee. SPIO nanoparticles were encapsulated by using amine-functionalized phospholipids. A recombinant protein containing the C3d-binding region of complement receptor type 2 (CR2) was then conjugated to the surface of the SPIO nanoparticle. Five MRL/lpr mice (a model of lupus nephritis) and six C57BL/6 wild-type mice were assessed with T2-weighted MR imaging at baseline and aft

SUBMITTER: Serkova NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2858816 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature