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Publications

Journal Article Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 42642371 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-75724-z

Ultrasensitive detection of lung inflammation in male mice using immuno-magnetic particle imaging.

Nat Commun 17(1)

Authors: Swannie Pedron, Sara Martinez de Lizarrondo, Laurent D'Arco, Jolan Malherbe, Sophie Trébel, Jurie Tashkandi, Karen Alt, Bertrand Galy, Pierre-Simon Bellaye, Jonathan Vigne, Denis Vivien, Maxime Gauberti, Thomas Bonnard

Affiliations

  • Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM UMR-S 1237, Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND), GIP Cyceron, Brain Blood & Memory at Caen Normandie Institute (BBM@C), Caen, France.
  • Department of Medical Intensive Care, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • NanoTheranostics Laboratory, Diabetes Department, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
  • Department of Nuclear Medicine, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France. Department of Pharmacy, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • Université Bourgogne Europe, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Unicancer, IMATHERA, UMR INSERM 1231, HSP-Pathies Team, Dijon, France.
  • Department of Nuclear Medicine, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • Department of Pharmacy, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • Department of Clinical Research, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM UMR-S 1237, Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND), GIP Cyceron, Brain Blood & Memory at Caen Normandie Institute (BBM@C), Caen, France.
  • Department of Radiology, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Caen, France.
  • Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM UMR-S 1237, Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND), GIP Cyceron, Brain Blood & Memory at Caen Normandie Institute (BBM@C), Caen, France.

Abstract

Timely and sensitive detection of inflammatory and infectious lung diseases remains a major clinical challenge. Current diagnostic approaches often identify pathology only at advanced stages, leaving gaps in acute triage, fibrotic activity assessment, transplant rejection monitoring and inflammation follow-up. Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) offers a sensitive, background-free, whole-body imaging modality without ionizing radiation. Here, we present immuno-Magnetic Particle Imaging (immuno-MPI) using micron-sized iron oxide particles targeted to VCAM-1, a key marker of endothelial inflammation. In three lung inflammation models in male mice, MPIO@αVCAM-1 generates high-contrast images within 3 minutes following intravenous injection at 1 mg/kg, with rapid accumulation at the inflamed endothelium and fast clearance of unbound particles. Predominantly confined to the vasculature, these particles selectively target VCAM-1 and discriminate inflamed from healthy lungs at doses as low as 0.18 mg/kg (7.5 µg iron). Specificity for VCAM-1 is confirmed by the absence of signal using control antibodies (MPIO@IgG) and competitive blocking with free αVCAM-1 antibodies. Overall, immuno-MPI provides a non-invasive approach that avoids ionizing radiation and supports pulmonary inflammation monitoring.

MeSH

Lung, Biological Science Disciplines, Antibodies, Magnetic Particle Imaging