Detection of Vascular Reactive Oxygen Species in Experimental Atherosclerosis by High-Resolution Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Using VCAM-1-Targeted Liposomes Entrapping a Fluorogenic Redox-Sensitive Probe

Figure 1

VCAM-1-targeted liposomes loaded with RB700 (VLp-RB700) are efficiently taken up by human endothelial cells (EC) and macrophages (Mac). Cultured cells were incubated for 2 hours with increasing concentrations of VLp-RB700 (1-10 μM) and examined by phase contrast/fluorescence microscopy and high-resolution fluorescence imaging (IVIS™) techniques. (a, b) Qualitative analysis of the uptake of VLp-RB700 (NBD-DSPE, spectral range: green) was done by fluorescence microscopy (20x magnification, top panel). The corresponding phase contrast images are shown in the lower panel. Quantitative determination done with the IVIS™ system showing the concentration-dependent uptake of VLp-RB700 by (c, e) EC and (d, f) Mac. , . Statistical values were calculated in relation to the basal fluorescence emission level detected in the absence of Lp.

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