Globular domain of adiponectin: promising target molecule for detection of atherosclerotic lesions.

Background: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific plasma protein, has been shown to accumulate in injured endothelial cells during development of atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we investigated the potential of different adiponectin subfractions with special emphasis on globular adiponectin (gAd) to recognize and visualize atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods: Recombinant mouse gAd and subfractions of full-length adiponectin (ie, trimeric, hexameric, and oligomeric forms) were fluorescence-labeled.

Adiponectin-coated nanoparticles for enhanced imaging of atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of mortality in the Western world, and plaque diagnosis is still a challenge in cardiovascular medicine. The main focus of this study was to make atherosclerotic plaques visible using targeted nanoparticles for improved imaging. Today various biomarkers are known to be involved in the pathophysiologic scenario of atherosclerotic plaques.

Targeting properties of peptide-modified radiolabeled liposomal nanoparticles.

Unlabelled: Radiolabeled PEGylated liposomal nanoparticles (NPs) open new possibilities for a variety of applications including diagnosis, drug delivery, targeted therapy, and monitoring treatment effects. Here we describe the characterization of liposomal NPs (liposomes and micelles) derivatized with the somatostatin analogue tyrosine-3-octreotide as a proof of concept for tumor targeting. NPs were radiolabeled with indium-111, and targeting properties were evaluated in vitro on rat pancreatic tumor cells (AR42J), demonstrating specific binding and IC(50) values in the low nanomolar range.