Development of Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agents
Myocardial ultrasound contrast agents are microbubbles
with acoustically distinct properties that enable their detection in a
blood and tissue environment using two-dimensional echocardiography. Microbubbles
behave similarly to red cells in their passage through the microcirculation,
allowing imaging of cardiac perfusion (or a local deficit in perfusion)
in vivo. In collaboration with cardiologist, Dr. Liza Villanueva, researchers
are developing microbubbles that are specifically targeted to endothelial
surface markers that increase their presence with local inflammation,
such as ICAM-1. Researchers are demonstrating that targeted microbubbles
are able to bind preferentially to inflammatory versus normal endothelium
both in vitro and in vivo. Such microbubbles might find application in
the early detection of cardiac allograft rejection or the early stages
of atherosclerosis.
