Targeting of α νβ 3-integrins expressed on tumor tissue and neovasculature using fluorescent small molecules and nanoparticles

Walter J. Akers, Zongren Zhang, Mikhail Berezin, Yunpeng Ye, Anthony Agee, Kevin Guo, Ralph W. Fuhrhop, Samuel A. Wickline, Gregory M. Lanza, Samuel Achilefu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: Receptor-specific small molecules and nanoparticles are widely used in molecular imaging of tumors. Although some studies have described the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches, reports of a direct comparison and analysis of the two strategies are lacking. Herein, we compared the tumor-targeting characteristics of a small near-infrared fluorescent compound (cypate-peptide conjugate) and relatively large perfluorocarbon-based nanoparticles (250 nm diameter) for imaging α νβ 3-integrin receptor expression in tumors. Materials & methods: Near-infrared fluorescent small molecules and nanoparticles were administered to living mice bearing subcutaneous or intradermal syngeneic tumors and imaged with whole-body and high-resolution optical imaging systems. Results: The nanoparticles, designed for vascular constraint, remained within the tumor vasculature while the small integrin-avid ligands diffused into the tissue to target integrin expression on tumor and endothelial cells. Targeted small-molecule and nanoparticle contrast agents preferentially accumulated in tumor tissue with tumor-to-muscle ratios of 8 and 7, respectively, compared with 3 for nontargeted nanoparticles. Conclusion: Fluorescent small molecular probes demonstrate greater overall early tumor contrast and rapid visualization of tumors, but the vascular-constrained nanoparticles are more selective for detecting cancer-induced angiogenesis. A combination of both imaging agents provides a strategy to image and quantify integrin expression in tumor tissue and tumor-induced neovascular systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)715-726
Number of pages12
JournalNanomedicine
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • angiogenesis
  • cancer
  • emulsion
  • fluorescence
  • near-infrared
  • optical imaging
  • peptide
  • perfluorocarbon
  • α β -integrin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Development
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Targeting of α νβ 3-integrins expressed on tumor tissue and neovasculature using fluorescent small molecules and nanoparticles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this