MR three-dimensional molecular imaging of intramural biomarkers with targeted nanoparticles.

In this study, porcine carotid arteries were subjected to balloon overstretch injury followed by local delivery of paramagnetic nanoparticles targeted to alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin expressed by smooth muscle cells or collagen III within the extracellular matrix. Carotid T-1-weighted angiography and vascular imaging was performed at 1.5T. While MR angiograms were indistinguishable between control and targeted vessel segments, alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin-and collagen III-targeted nanoparticles spatially delineated patterns and volumes of stretch injury. In conclusion, MR molecular imaging with alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin or collagen III-targeted nanoparticles enables the non-invasive, three-dimensional characterization of arterial pathology unanticipated from routine angiography.