Iron-Based Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for MRI of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity32 @entity101 @entity5414 @entity4034 @entity1933 @entity281 @entity439 @entity731 @entity2287 @entity15
UNASSIGNED: OBJECTIVE. In this article, we summarize the progress to date on the use of superparamagnetic @entity1933 nanoparticles (SPIONs) as contrast agents for MRI of inflammatory processes. CONCLUSION. Phagocytosis by macrophages of injected SPIONs results in a prolonged shortening of both T2 and T2* leading to hypointensity of macrophage-infiltrated tissues in contrast-enhanced MR images. SPIONs as contrast agents are therefore useful for the in vivo MRI detection of macrophage infiltration, and there is substantial research and clinical interest in the use of SPION-based contrast agents for MRI of @entity281 and @entity32 . This technique has been used to identify active @entity281 in @entity1 with @entity5414 and @entity4034 ; importantly, the MRI signal intensity of the tissue has been found to return to its unenhanced value on successful treatment of the @entity281 . In SPION contrast-enhanced MRI of @entity32 , animal studies have shown decreased macrophage uptake in @entity731 after treatment with statin drugs. @entity1 studies have shown that both coronary and carotid plaques that take up SPIONs are more prone to rupture and that @entity439 with @entity101 are more likely to grow. Studies of @entity1 with @entity15 suggest that MRI using SPIONs may have increased sensitivity over @entity2287 for plaque detection. Finally, SPIONs have enabled the tracking and imaging of transplanted stem cells in a recipient host.
