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H2020Individual fellowship2015–2017

NanoMATe · Nanoparticles for Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis: from Diagnosis to Treatment

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-09-01 → 2017-08-31
EU contribution
€183,455
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

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Results in brief

Nanoparticles for Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis: from Diagnosis to Treatment

Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaques (atheromas) in the medium and large arteries. The related occlusion may disrupt the blood flow to target organs, leading to heart disease and stroke - the most common causes of death in developed countries. The identification of the blockage is mainly due to the emerging of symptoms and to cardiovascular imaging that is traditionally focused on the anatomy of the atherosclerotic plaque. Unfortunately the degree of vessel narrowing caused is not the only feature able to predict the clinical outcome. In fact the molecular composition of the atheroma represent the most important indicator of future plaque destabilization and complications. Immune response plays a crucial role from the onset of the pathology through its progression, up to clinical manifestations. Consequently researchers worldwide are developing innovative approaches for molecular imaging of inflammation in atherosclerosis as new diagnostic tools. Various imaging technologies have been developed; however, each approach presents severe weaknesses. In the last decade, surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is developing as an effective molecular imaging optical modality in biomedicine because it offers many advantages over traditional technologies, including better sensitivity, and a superior multiplexing capability. Therefore, the primary aim of the proposal has been the development of a highly-sensitive and selective but relatively affordable SERS-based system to measure inflammation in atherosclerotic vessels.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries. It leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (atheromas), which may disrupt the blood flow to target organs, leading to heart disease and stroke - the most common causes of death in developed countries. Cardiovascular imaging has traditionally focused on the anatomy of the atherosclerotic plaque; however, the degree of vessel narrowing caused by the plaque isn’t the only characteristic that can determine the clinical outcome. Indeed, the cellular and molecular composition of the atheroma can indicate whether the plaque might cause complications. In particular the local immune-inflammatory response participates from the onset of the pathology through its progression, up to clinical manifestations. Consequently the development of innovative approaches for the molecular imaging of inflammation in atherosclerosis would be key to improve diagnosis and treatment.In the last decade molecular imaging has emerged as a novel tool for the visualization and measurement of biological processes in atheromas. Various imaging technologies have been developed; however, each approach presents severe weaknesses. Surface Enhancement Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is developing as an effective molecular imaging optical modality in biomedicine because it offers many advantages over traditional technologies, including better sensitivity, and a superior multiplexing capability. Therefore, the primary aim of the present proposal is to develop innovative, highly-sensitive and selective but relatively affordable SERS-based system to measure inflammation in atherosclerotic vessels. I will use nanoparticles (NPs), small metallic particles, which possess the ability to recognise inflammatory markers, as imaging probes. When a light source is shone on these NPs, they can be detected by SERS. The secondary aim is to customise the NPs to enable local treatment of the pathology. The proposed approaches will offer new ways to manage atherosclerosis.

Original text from CORDIS.

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union