ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the specificity and efficacy of combination of dual-targeted MRI contrast agent cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-microparticles of iron oxide (MPIO) and endothelial cells. Methods: The single-targeted contrast agent intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-MPIO, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-MPIO and dual-targeted contrast agent CAM-MPIO were synthesized, then Prussian blue staining, immunofluorescence and MR scanning were applied to estimate the specificity and efficacy of combination of contrast agents and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activated endothelial cells. Results: Prussian blue staining showed much stronger blue granules surrounding the stimulated cells in CAM-MPIO group than in ICAM-MPIO group and VCAM-MPIO group. Immunofluorescence essay demonstrated that the yellow fluorescence area per cell of CAM-MPIO group was (2.00±0.31) times and (2.46±0.45) times higher than that of ICAM-MPIO group and VCAM-MPIO group. In vitro MRI showed the signal intensity of T2WI and T2 value decreased with the increase concentration of targeted contrast agents, especially in CAM-MPIO group. Conclusion: Dual-targeted probe CAM-MPIO may be more valuable than single-targeted probe ICAM-MPIO and VCAM-MPIO for imaging diagnosis of early radiation-induced brain injury.