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We present a set of donor radii for the rare-earth cations obtained from the analysis of structural data available in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and wave function approaches (NEVPT2) demonstrate that the Ln-donor distances can be broken down into contributions of the cation and the donor atom, with the minimum in electron density (ρ) that defines the position of (3,-1) critical points corresponding well with Shannon's crystal radii (CR). Subsequent linear fits of the experimental bond distances for all rare earth cations (except Pm3+) afforded donor radii (rD) that allow for the prediction of Ln-donor distances regardless of the nature of the rare-earth cation and its oxidation state. This set of donor radii can be used to rationalize structural data and identify particularly weak or strong interactions, which has important implications in the understanding of the stability and reactivity of complexes of these metal ions. A few cases of incorrect atom assignments in X-ray structures were also identified using the derived rD values.
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We report the synthesis and characterization of the macrocyclic ligand 2,2'-((2-(3,9-bis(carboxymethyl)-3,6,9-triaza-1(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane-6-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)diacetic acid (H4L) and several of its complexes with lanthanide ions. The structure of the free ligand was determined using X-ray diffraction measurements. Two N atoms of the pyclen moiety in the trans position are protonated in the solid state, together with the exocyclic N atom and one of the carboxylate groups of the ligand. The relaxivity of the Gd3+ complex was found to increase from 6.7 mM-1 s-1 at pH 8.6 to 8.5 mM-1 s-1 below pH ≈ 6.0. Luminescence lifetime measurements recorded from H2O and D2O solutions of the Eu3+ complex evidence the presence of a single complex species in solution at low pH (â¼5.0) that contains two inner-sphere water molecules. DFT calculations suggest that the coordination environment of the Ln3+ ion is fulfilled by the four N atoms of the pyclen unit, two oxygen atoms of the macrocyclic acetate groups, and an oxygen atom of an exocyclic carboxylate group. The two inner-sphere water molecules complete coordination number nine around the metal ion. At high pH (â¼9.3), the lifetime of the excited 5D0 level of Eu3+ displays a biexponential behavior that can be attributed to the presence of two species in solution with hydration numbers of q = 0 and q = 1. The 1H NMR and DOSY spectra recorded from solutions of the Eu3+ and Y3+ complexes reveal a structural change triggered by pH and the formation of small aggregates at high pH values.
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RATIONALE: Virtually all mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) studies assume that therapeutic effects accrue from local myocardial effects of engrafted MSCs. Because few intravenously administered MSCs engraft in the myocardium, studies have mainly utilized direct myocardial delivery. We adopted a different paradigm. OBJECTIVE: To test whether intravenously administered MSCs reduce left ventricular (LV) dysfunction both post-acute myocardial infarction and in ischemic cardiomyopathy and that these effects are caused, at least partly, by systemic anti-inflammatory activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice underwent 45 minutes of left anterior descending artery occlusion. Human MSCs, grown chronically at 5% O2, were administered intravenously. LV function was assessed by serial echocardiography, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining determined infarct size, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting assessed cell composition. Fluorescent and radiolabeled MSCs (1×106) were injected 24 hours post-myocardial infarction and homed to regions of myocardial injury; however, the myocardium contained only a small proportion of total MSCs. Mice received 2×106 MSCs or saline intravenously 24 hours post-myocardial infarction (n=16 per group). At day 21, we harvested blood and spleens for fluorescence-activated cell sorting and hearts for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Adverse LV remodeling and deteriorating LV ejection fraction occurred in control mice with large infarcts (≥25% LV). Intravenous MSCs eliminated the progressive deterioration in LV end-diastolic volume and LV end-systolic volume. MSCs significantly decreased natural killer cells in the heart and spleen and neutrophils in the heart. Specific natural killer cell depletion 24 hours pre-acute myocardial infarction significantly improved infarct size, LV ejection fraction, and adverse LV remodeling, changes associated with decreased neutrophils in the heart. In an ischemic cardiomyopathy model, mice 4 weeks post-myocardial infarction were randomized to tail-vein injection of 2×106 MSCs, with injection repeated at week 3 (n=16) versus PBS control (n=16). MSCs significantly increased LV ejection fraction and decreased LV end-systolic volume. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenously administered MSCs for acute myocardial infarction attenuate the progressive deterioration in LV function and adverse remodeling in mice with large infarcts, and in ischemic cardiomyopathy, they improve LV function, effects apparently modulated in part by systemic anti-inflammatory activities.
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Cardiomiopatías/terapia , Trasplante de Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/métodos , Infarto del Miocardio/terapia , Isquemia Miocárdica/terapia , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/terapia , Administración Intravenosa , Animales , Cardiomiopatías/inmunología , Cardiomiopatías/fisiopatología , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Masculino , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/inmunología , Ratones , Infarto del Miocardio/inmunología , Infarto del Miocardio/fisiopatología , Isquemia Miocárdica/inmunología , Isquemia Miocárdica/fisiopatología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/inmunología , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
The interaction of a polyazacyclophane ligand having an ethylamine pendant arm functionalized with an anthryl group (L), with the single-stranded polynucleotides polyA, polyG, polyU, and polyC as well as with the double-stranded polynucleotides polyA-polyU, poly(dAT)2 , and poly(dGC)2 has been followed by UV/Vis titration, steady state fluorescence spectroscopy, and thermal denaturation measurements. In the case of the single-stranded polynucleotides, the UV/Vis and fluorescence titrations permit to distinguish between sequences containing purine and pyrimidine bases. For the double-stranded polynucleotides the UV/Vis measurements show for all of them hypochromicity and bathochromic shifts. However, the fluorescence studies reveal that both polyA-polyU and poly(dAT)2 induce a twofold increase in the fluorescence, whereas interaction of poly(dGC)2 with the ligand L induces a quenching of the fluorescence. Cu2+ modulates the interaction with the double-stranded polynucleotides due to the conformation changes that its coordination induces in compound L. In general, the spectroscopic studies show that intercalation seems to be blocked by the formation of the metal complex. All these features suggest the possibility of using compound L as a sequence-selective fluorescence probe.
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ADN de Cadena Simple/química , ADN/química , Poliaminas/química , ARN/química , Complejos de Coordinación/química , Complejos de Coordinación/metabolismo , ADN/metabolismo , ADN de Cadena Simple/metabolismo , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Sustancias Intercalantes/química , Sustancias Intercalantes/metabolismo , Ligandos , ARN/metabolismo , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Espectrofotometría UltravioletaRESUMEN
Atherosclerosis is the major underlying pathologic cause of coronary artery disease. An early detection of the disease can prevent clinical sequellae such as angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The different imaging techniques employed to visualize the atherosclerotic plaque provide information of diagnostic and prognostic value. Furthermore, the use of contrast agents helps to improve signal-to-noise ratio providing better images. For nuclear imaging techniques and optical imaging these agents are absolutely necessary. We report on the different contrast agents that have been used, are used or may be used in future in animals, humans, or excised tissues for the distinct imaging modalities for atherosclerotic plaque imaging.
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Medios de Contraste/química , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/diagnóstico , Complejos de Coordinación/química , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/diagnóstico por imagen , Gadolinio/química , Humanos , Hierro/química , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Compuestos de Organotecnecio/química , Placa Aterosclerótica/patología , Tomografía de Emisión de Positrones , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
The NLRP3 inflammasome has been shown to modulate IL-1B and IL-18 production, both key molecular regulators of inflammation. This editorial discusses a new molecule 16673-34-0 that inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome and decreases caspase 1 production following ischemia reperfusion or acute peritonitis in mice.
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Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/uso terapéutico , Benzamidas/uso terapéutico , Proteínas Portadoras/antagonistas & inhibidores , Inflamasomas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/tratamiento farmacológico , Sulfonamidas/uso terapéutico , Animales , Benzamidas/síntesis química , Glucemia/metabolismo , Línea Celular , Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Ratones , Proteína con Dominio Pirina 3 de la Familia NLR , Peritonitis/inducido químicamente , Peritonitis/prevención & control , Sulfonamidas/síntesis químicaRESUMEN
Supramolecular complexes offer a new and efficient way for the monitoring and removal of many substances emanating from technical processes, fertilization, plant and animal protection, or e.g. chemotherapy. Such pollutants range from toxic or radioactive metal ions and anions to chemical side products, herbicides, pesticides to drugs including steroids, and include degradation products from natural sources. The applications involve usually fast and reversible complex formation, due to prevailing non-covalent interactions. This is of importance for sensing as well as for separation techniques, where the often expensive host compounds can then be reused almost indefinitely. Immobilization of host compounds, e.g. on exchange resins or on membranes, and their implementation in smart new materials hold particular promise. The review illustrates how the design of suitable host compounds in combination with modern sensing and separation methods can contribute to solve some of the biggest problems facing chemistry, which arise from the everyday increasing pollution of the environment.
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Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Restauración y Remediación Ambiental/métodos , Compuestos Macrocíclicos/química , Animales , Monitoreo del Ambiente/instrumentación , Contaminantes Ambientales/aislamiento & purificación , Restauración y Remediación Ambiental/instrumentación , Diseño de Equipo , Humanos , Metales/análisis , Metales/aislamiento & purificación , Modelos Moleculares , Compuestos Orgánicos/análisis , Compuestos Orgánicos/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
DNA interaction with scorpiand azamacrocycles has been achieved through modulation of their binding affinities. Studies performed with different experimental techniques provided evidence that pH or metal-driven molecular reorganizations of these ligands regulate their ability to interact with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) through an intercalative mode. Interestingly enough, metal-driven molecular reorganizations serve to increase or decrease the biological activities of these compounds significantly.
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Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , ADN/metabolismo , Sustancias Intercalantes/química , Sustancias Intercalantes/farmacología , Metales/metabolismo , Animales , Bovinos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Dicroismo Circular , Humanos , Compuestos Macrocíclicos/química , Compuestos Macrocíclicos/farmacología , Modelos Moleculares , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Desnaturalización de Ácido Nucleico/efectos de los fármacos , Protones , Espectrofotometría UltravioletaRESUMEN
Novel, highly positively charged tripodal polyamines with appended heterocyclic moieties revealed an intriguing panel of protonation species within the biologically relevant range. Studied compounds bind nucleotide monophosphates by mostly electrostatic interactions but only the imidazole analogue showed selectivity toward UMP in respect to other nucleotides. Strong binding of all the studied compounds to both ds-DNA and ds-RNA is to some extent selective toward the latter, showing rather rare RNA over DNA preference.
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Ácidos Nucleicos/química , Nucleótidos/química , Poliaminas/química , Protones , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética , Estructura Molecular , Soluciones/química , Termodinámica , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
Fumagillin-loaded liposomes were injected into ApoE-KO mice. The animals were divided into several groups to test the efficacy of this anti-angiogenic drug for early treatment of atherosclerotic lesions. Statistical analysis of the lesions revealed a decrease in the lesion size after 5 weeks of treatment.
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Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/uso terapéutico , Aterosclerosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Ciclohexanos/uso terapéutico , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Portadores de Fármacos , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/uso terapéutico , Liposomas , Nanopartículas , Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/administración & dosificación , Animales , Apolipoproteínas E/genética , Aterosclerosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Aterosclerosis/patología , Ciclohexanos/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/administración & dosificación , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Sesquiterpenos/administración & dosificación , Sesquiterpenos/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
We report on the one-pot synthetic procedure of cyclen derivatives bearing three acetate groups attached on boehmite nanoparticles, the complexing capabilities of these inorganic-organic hybrid materials with rare earth cations, and the behaviour as contrast agents or fluorescence probes.
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Hidróxido de Aluminio/química , Óxido de Aluminio/química , Compuestos Heterocíclicos/síntesis química , Metales de Tierras Raras/química , Nanopartículas/química , Ciclamas , Compuestos Heterocíclicos/química , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Nanoparticles may serve as a promising means to deliver novel therapeutics to the myocardium following myocardial infarction. We sought to determine whether lipid-based liposomal nanoparticles can be shown through different imaging modalities to specifically target injured myocardium following intravenous injection in an ischemia-reperfusion murine myocardial infarction model. METHODS: Mice underwent ischemia-reperfusion surgery and then either received tail-vein injection with gadolinium- and fluorescent-labeled liposomes or no injection (control). The hearts were harvested 24h later and underwent T1 and T2-weighted ex vivo imaging using a 7 Tesla Bruker magnet. The hearts were then sectioned for immunohistochemistry and optical fluorescent imaging. RESULTS: The mean size of the liposomes was 100nm. T1-weighted signal intensity was significantly increased in the ischemic vs. the non-ischemic myocardium for mice that received liposomes compared with control. Optical imaging demonstrated significant fluorescence within the infarct area for the liposome group compared with control (163±31% vs. 13±14%, p=0.001) and fluorescent microscopy confirmed the presence of liposomes within the ischemic myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomes traffic to the heart and preferentially home to regions of myocardial injury, enabling improved diagnosis of myocardial injury and could serve as a vehicle for drug delivery.
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Albúminas/farmacocinética , Medios de Contraste/farmacocinética , Colorantes Fluorescentes/farmacocinética , Gadolinio DTPA/farmacocinética , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Infarto del Miocardio/diagnóstico por imagen , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/diagnóstico por imagen , Miocardio/metabolismo , Imagen Óptica/métodos , Fosfatidiletanolaminas/farmacocinética , Albúminas/administración & dosificación , Animales , Medios de Contraste/administración & dosificación , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Colorantes Fluorescentes/administración & dosificación , Gadolinio DTPA/administración & dosificación , Inmunohistoquímica , Inyecciones Intravenosas , Liposomas , Masculino , Ratones , Microscopía Fluorescente , Infarto del Miocardio/metabolismo , Daño por Reperfusión Miocárdica/metabolismo , Nanopartículas , Tamaño de la Partícula , Fosfatidiletanolaminas/administración & dosificación , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
The interaction of q = 0 delta- and lambda-Tb and Eu complexes with poly(dAdT), poly(dGdC) and calf-thymus DNA has been examined by absorption, emission and chiroptical spectroscopy and is sensitive to complex helicity, base-pair type and the nature of the lanthanide excited state.
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Crisenos/química , Sondas de ADN/química , ADN/química , Elementos de la Serie de los Lantanoides/química , Cinética , Elementos de la Serie de los Lantanoides/metabolismo , Ligandos , Estructura Molecular , Espectrofotometría/métodosRESUMEN
The synthesis of boehmite nanoparticles modified with lanthanides (Eu, Tb and Gd) is described. Their synthesis, characterization and in vitro assays with HeLa cells were performed. The nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles of the two chelating moieties were studied. Imaging data from laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that the nanoscaffolds were taken up by the cells, distributed throughout the cytoplasm and showed no toxicity. This platform could represent an alternative to silica-based inert matrices as imaging vehicles.
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Hidróxido de Aluminio/química , Óxido de Aluminio/química , Complejos de Coordinación/química , Elementos de la Serie de los Lantanoides/química , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Citometría de Flujo , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Células HeLa , Humanos , Microscopía Confocal , Tamaño de la PartículaRESUMEN
Contrast-enhanced MRI of atherosclerosis can provide valuable additional information on a patient's disease state. As a result of the interactions of HDL with atherosclerotic plaque and the flexibility of its reconstitution, it is a versatile candidate for the delivery of contrast-generating materials to this pathogenic lesion. We herein discuss the reports of HDL modified with gadolinium to act as an MRI contrast agent for atherosclerosis. Furthermore, HDL has been modified with fluorophores and nanocrystals, allowing it to act as a contrast agent for fluorescent imaging techniques and for computed tomography. Such modified HDL has been found to be macrophage specific, and, therefore, can provide macrophage density information via noninvasive MRI. As such, modified HDL is currently a valuable contrast agent for probing preclinical atherosclerosis. Future developments may allow the application of this particle to further diseases and pathological or physiological processes in both preclinical models as well as in patients.
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OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether gadolinium (Gd)-containing lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) targeting the macrophage scavenger receptor-B (CD36) improve cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) detection and characterization of human atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND: Gd-containing lipid-based NPs targeting macrophages have improved MR detection of murine atherosclerosis. METHODS: Gadolinium-containing untargeted NPs, anti-CD36 NPs, and nonspecific Fc-NPs were created. Macrophages were incubated with fluorescent targeted and nontargeted NPs to determine uptake via confocal microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) quantified Gd uptake. Human aortic specimens were harvested at autopsy. With a 1.5-T scanner, T1, T2, and PDW 3-dimensional scans were performed along with post-contrast scans after 24 h incubation. The T1 and cluster analyses were performed and compared with immunohistopathology. RESULTS: The NPs had a mean diameter of 125 nm and 14,900 Gd-ions, and relaxivity was 37 mmol/l(-1)s(-1) at 1.5-T and 37 degrees C. Confocal microscopy and ICP-MS demonstrated significant in vitro macrophage uptake of targeted NPs, whereas non-targeted NPs had minimal uptake. On T1 imaging, targeted NPs increased contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by 52.5%, which was significantly greater than Fc-NPs (CNR increased 17.2%) and nontargeted NPs (CNR increased 18.7%) (p = 0.001). Confocal fluorescent microscopy showed that NPs target resident macrophages, whereas the untargeted NPs and Fc-NPs are found diffusely throughout the plaque. Targeted NPs had a greater signal intensity increase in the fibrous cap compared with non-targeted NPs. CONCLUSIONS: Macrophage-specific (CD36) NPs bind human macrophages and improve CMR detection and characterization of human aortic atherosclerosis. Thus, macrophage-specific NPs could help identify high-risk human plaque before the development of an atherothrombotic event.
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Enfermedades de la Aorta/patología , Aterosclerosis/patología , Medios de Contraste , Compuestos Heterocíclicos , Lípidos , Macrófagos/patología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Nanopartículas , Compuestos Organometálicos , Enfermedades de la Aorta/inmunología , Aterosclerosis/inmunología , Autopsia , Transporte Biológico , Antígenos CD36/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Medios de Contraste/metabolismo , Compuestos Heterocíclicos/metabolismo , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Macrófagos/inmunología , Microscopía Confocal , Compuestos Organometálicos/metabolismo , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Espectrofotometría AtómicaRESUMEN
The synthesis of a polyazamacrocycle constituted by two diethylenetriamine bridges functionalized at their central nitrogen with naphth-2-ylmethyl units and interconnected through 2,6-dimethylpyridine spacers (L1) is reported. The protonation behaviour of the new macrocycle in water and in water-ethanol 70/30 v/v mixed solvent has been examined by means of pH-metric, UV-Vis and steady-state fluorescence techniques. The fluorescence emission is slightly quenched following the deprotonation of the central tertiary amines and more deeply quenched upon deprotonation of the secondary amino groups. pH-Metric titrations show that in water-ethanol 70/30 v/v L1 forms stable mononuclear complexes with the divalent transition and post-transition metal ions Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+. In the case of Cu2+, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+, formation of binuclear complexes has also been observed. Steady-state fluorescence emission studies show that while interaction with Cu2+ leads to quenching of the fluorescence emission above pH = 2, interaction with Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ give rise to enhancements of the fluorescence above pH ca. 5, which is particularly noticeable in the case of Zn2+.
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Compuestos Aza/química , Técnicas de Química Analítica/instrumentación , Compuestos Macrocíclicos/química , Naftalenos/química , Compuestos Organometálicos/síntesis química , Zinc/química , Fluorescencia , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Ligandos , Compuestos Organometálicos/química , Procesos Fotoquímicos , Protones , Temperatura , Elementos de Transición/químicaRESUMEN
The synthesis and steady-state fluorescence studies on the interaction with AMPH, METH, MDMA, and DA of two diazatetraester pyrazole crowns containing appended N-(9H-fluoren-9-yl) and N-(naphth-2-ylmethyl) functions, in a water/ethanol 70:30 mixture at physiological pH, are described.
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Compuestos Aza/química , Dopamina/análisis , Ésteres/química , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Drogas Ilícitas/análisis , Pirazoles/química , Anfetamina/análisis , Anfetamina/química , Costos y Análisis de Costo , Dopamina/química , Drogas Ilícitas/química , Metanfetamina/análisis , Metanfetamina/química , N-Metil-3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina/análisis , N-Metil-3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina/química , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Factores de Tiempo , Volumetría , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
The ability to detect and characterize atherosclerosis with targeted contrast agents may enable initiation of therapy for atherosclerotic lesions prior to becoming symptomatic. Since lipoproteins such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) play a critical role in the regulation of plaque biology through the transport of lipids into and out of atherosclerotic lesions, modifying HDL and LDL with radioisotopes for nuclear imaging, chelates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other possible contrast agents for computed tomography imaging techniques may aid in the detection and characterization of atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the literature employing lipoproteins as contrast agents for imaging atherosclerosis and the feasibility of this approach.
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Aterosclerosis/diagnóstico , Medios de Contraste , Aumento de la Imagen/métodos , Lipoproteínas/química , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , HumanosRESUMEN
Pegylated, fluorescent, and paramagnetic micelles were developed. The micelles were conjugated with macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR)-specific antibodies. The abdominal aortas of atherosclerotic apoE-KO mice were imaged with T(1)-weighted high-resolution MRI before and 24 h after intravenous administration of the contrast agent (CA). Pronounced signal enhancement (SE) (up to 200%) was observed for apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-KO) mice that were injected with MSR-targeted micelles, while the aortic vessel wall of mice injected with nontargeted micelles showed little SE. To allow fluorescence microscopy and optical imaging of the excised aorta, the micelles were made fluorescent by incorporating either a quantum dot (QD) in the micelle corona or rhodamine lipids in the micelle. Ultraviolet (UV) illumination of the aorta allowed the identification of regions with high macrophage content, while MSR-targeted rhodamine micelles could be detected with fluorescence microscopy and were found to be associated with macrophages. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that macrophages in apoE-KO mice can be effectively and specifically detected by molecular MRI and optical methods upon administration of a pegylated micellar CA.