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Perfluorohexane-loaded Macrophages as a Novel Ultrasound Contrast Agent: A Feasibility Study

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Abstract

Purpose

We investigated in vitro the potential of macrophages to act as targeted vehicle for ultrasound molecular imaging.

Procedures

Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM), incubated for 3 h with different concentrations of perfluorohexane (PFH) emulsions, were monitored by microscopy, flow cytometry, and ultrasound. Effects of PFH loading on BMM adhesion molecule (PSGL-1, VLA-4, Mac-1, LFA-1) expression were analyzed by flow cytometry. Static adhesion of PFH loaded BMM to unstimulated and TNF-α stimulated b.End5 endothelial cells was assessed by microscopy.

Results

Incubation of BMM with PFH emulsions resulted in dose-dependent uptake and increased echogenicity (max. 17 dB). Flow cytometry analyses revealed no down-regulation related to PFH loading of BMM adhesion molecule expression. Endothelial adhesion remained functional, even after 24 h, although PFH loading dose-dependently attenuated static adhesion.

Conclusion

PFH loaded BMM may potentially serve as ultrasound contrast agent for noninvasive detection of atherogenic hotspots in arteries.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Senter (Ministry of Economic Affairs), grant BSIK03033.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P. O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Liselotte M. Kornmann, Evelien Hermeling, Koen D. Reesink & Arnold P. G. Hoeks

  2. Department of Molecular Genetics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Daniëlle M. J. Curfs, Ingeborg van der Made & Menno P. J. de Winther

  3. Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Robert S. Reneman

Authors
  1. Liselotte M. Kornmann
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  2. Daniëlle M. J. Curfs
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  3. Evelien Hermeling
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  4. Ingeborg van der Made
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  5. Menno P. J. de Winther
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  6. Robert S. Reneman
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  7. Koen D. Reesink
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  8. Arnold P. G. Hoeks
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arnold P. G. Hoeks.

Additional information

Liselotte M. Kornmann and Daniëlle M. J. Curfs: Both authors contributed equally to the study.

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Kornmann, L.M., Curfs, D.M.J., Hermeling, E. et al. Perfluorohexane-loaded Macrophages as a Novel Ultrasound Contrast Agent: A Feasibility Study. Mol Imaging Biol 10, 264–270 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-008-0146-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-008-0146-3

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