MRI visualization of neuroinflammation using VCAM-1 targeted paramagnetic micelles

In this work, a highly efficient micellar system able to target VCAM-1 was successfully tested in a mouse model of LPS-induced neuroinflammation. A sensible increase of the MRI signal was achieved in T1 weighted images post micelle injection, allowing a precise localization of the inflamed regions. The promising results obtained were compared with the clinically approved contrast agent Multihance® and pave the way to a novel form of specific MRI-based localization of neuroinflammation as well as to original theranostics applications in the neuroimaging field.193