A new fluorescent imaging of renal inflammation with RCP

The objective of this study is to design a fluorescent imaging agent with R-Gel, one of the recombinant polymers (RCP), for renal inflammation. The R-Gel based on human type I collagen has multiple Arg–Gly–Asp (RGD) motifs which are ligands for some types of integrin receptors on the cell surface. After intravenous administration of R-Gel labeled by Cy7 of a fluorescent dye to three animal models of nephritis mousse, interstitial nephritis (by using UUO model mice), glomerulonephritis (HIGA mice), and ischemia–reperfusion injured kidney (I/R mice), the extent of fluorescent imaging at the renal inflammation was assessed. The Cy7-labeled R-Gel was accumulated in the inflammation site to a significantly greater extent than in the normal one at 24 h after administration. The renal pattern of fluorescent imaging was similar to that of administration anti-Mac1 antibody. Taken together, it is conceivable that the R-Gel was targeted to macrophages infiltrated into the inflammation site of kidney.

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