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Zhao J, Zhang J, Xu Y, Dong J, Dong Q, Zhao G, Shi Y. Nanotechnological approaches for the treatment of placental dysfunction: recent trends and future perspectives. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023; 18:1961-1978. [PMID: 37990993 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The transitory placenta develops during pregnancy and mediates the blood flow between the mother and the developing baby. Placental dysfunction, including but not limited to placenta accreta spectrum, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia and gestational trophoblastic disease, arises from abnormal placental development and can result in significant adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of treatment alternatives for these disorders. Nanocarriers offer versatility, including extended circulation, organ-specific targeting and intracellular transport, finely tuning therapeutic placental interactions. This thorough review explores nanotechnological strategies for addressing placental disorders, encompassing dysfunction insights, potential drug-delivery targets and recent strides in placenta-targeted nanoparticle (NP) therapies, instilling hope for effective placental malfunction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jungang Zhang
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Medical Research Center, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhoushan, 316000, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Qichao Dong
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhao
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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Herrera CL, Kim MJ, Do QN, Owen DM, Fei B, Twickler DM, Spong CY. The human placenta project: Funded studies, imaging technologies, and future directions. Placenta 2023; 142:27-35. [PMID: 37634371 PMCID: PMC11257151 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The placenta plays a critical role in fetal development. It serves as a multi-functional organ that protects and nurtures the fetus during pregnancy. However, despite its importance, the intricacies of placental structure and function in normal and diseased states have remained largely unexplored. Thus, in 2014, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development launched the Human Placenta Project (HPP). As of May 2023, the HPP has awarded over $101 million in research funds, resulting in 41 funded studies and 459 publications. We conducted a comprehensive review of these studies and publications to identify areas of funded research, advances in those areas, limitations of current research, and continued areas of need. This paper will specifically review the funded studies by the HPP, followed by an in-depth discussion on advances and gaps within placental-focused imaging. We highlight the progress within magnetic reasonance imaging and ultrasound, including development of tools for the assessment of placental function and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Herrera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Meredith J Kim
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Quyen N Do
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David M Owen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diane M Twickler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Y Spong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA
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Badachhape AA, Bhandari P, Devkota L, Srivastava M, Tanifum EA, George V, Fox KA, Yallampalli C, Annapragada AV, Ghaghada KB. Nanoparticle Contrast-enhanced MRI for Visualization of Retroplacental Clear Space Disruption in a Mouse Model of Placental Accreta Spectrum (PAS). Acad Radiol 2023; 30:1384-1391. [PMID: 36167627 PMCID: PMC10036264 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prior preclinical studies established the utility of liposomal nanoparticle blood-pool contrast agents in visualizing the retroplacental clear space (RPCS), a marker of normal placentation, while sparing fetuses from exposure because the agent does not cross the placental barrier. In this work, we characterized RPCS disruption in a mouse model of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) using these agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) and computed tomography (CE-CT) using liposomal nanoparticles bearing gadolinium (liposomal-Gd) and iodine were performed in pregnant Gab3-/- and wild type (WT) mice at day 16 of gestation. CE-MRI was performed on a 1T scanner using a 2D T1-weighted sequence (100×100×600 µm3 voxels) and CE-CT was performed at a higher resolution (70×70×70 µm3 voxels). Animals were euthanized post-imaging and feto-placental units (FPUs) were harvested for histological examination. RPCS conspicuity was scored through blinded assessment of images. RESULTS Pregnant Gab3-/- mice showed elevated rates of complicated pregnancy. Contrast-enhanced imaging demonstrated frank infiltration of the RPCS of Gab3-/- FPUs. RPCS in Gab3-/- FPUs was smaller in volume, demonstrated a heterogeneous signal profile, and received lower conspicuity scores than WT FPUs. Histology confirmed in vivo findings and demonstrated staining consistent with a thinner RPCS in Gab3-/- FPUs. DISCUSSION Imaging of the Gab3-/- mouse model at late gestation with liposomal contrast agents enabled in vivo characterization of morphological differences in the RPCS that could cause the observed pregnancy complications. An MRI-based method for visualizing the RPCS would be valuable for early detection of invasive placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Badachhape
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Prajwal Bhandari
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Laxman Devkota
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Mayank Srivastava
- Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Eric A Tanifum
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Verghese George
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Karin A Fox
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Chandrasekhar Yallampalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ananth V Annapragada
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Ketan B Ghaghada
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,; Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030.
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Geisler HC, Safford HC, Mitchell MJ. Rational Design of Nanomedicine for Placental Disorders: Birthing a New Era in Women's Reproductive Health. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300852. [PMID: 37191231 PMCID: PMC10651803 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient organ that forms during pregnancy and acts as a biological barrier, mediating exchange between maternal and fetal circulation. Placental disorders, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta spectrum, and gestational trophoblastic disease, originate in dysfunctional placental development during pregnancy and can lead to severe complications for both the mother and fetus. Unfortunately, treatment options for these disorders are severely lacking. Challenges in designing therapeutics for use during pregnancy involve selectively delivering payloads to the placenta while protecting the fetus from potential toxic side effects. Nanomedicine holds great promise in overcoming these barriers; the versatile and modular nature of nanocarriers, including prolonged circulation times, intracellular delivery, and organ-specific targeting, can control how therapeutics interact with the placenta. In this review, nanomedicine strategies are discussed to treat and diagnose placental disorders with an emphasis on understanding the unique pathophysiology behind each of these diseases. Finally, prior study of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these placental disorders has revealed novel disease targets. These targets are highlighted here to motivate the rational design of precision nanocarriers to improve therapeutic options for placental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C. Geisler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Hannah C. Safford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Michael J. Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19014, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
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Ren J, Li Y, Liu FS, Liu C, Zhu JX, Nickel MD, Wang XY, Liu XY, Zhao J, He YL, Jin ZY, Xue HD. Comparison of a deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequence and its conventional counterpart for female pelvic MRI: reduced acquisition times and improved image quality. Insights Imaging 2022; 13:193. [PMID: 36512158 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-022-01321-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the feasibility of a deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence (T2DL) applied to female pelvic MRI, using standard T2-weighted TSE (T2S) as reference. METHODS In total, 24 volunteers and 48 consecutive patients with benign uterine diseases were enrolled. Patients in the menstrual phase were excluded. T2S and T2DL sequences in three planes were performed for each participant. Quantitative image evaluation was conducted by calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Image geometric distortion was evaluated by measuring the diameters in all three directions of the uterus and lesions. Qualitative image evaluation including overall image quality, artifacts, boundary sharpness of the uterine zonal layers, and lesion conspicuity were assessed by three radiologists using a 5-point Likert scale, with 5 indicating the best quality. Comparative analyses were conducted for the two sequences. RESULTS T2DL resulted in a 62.7% timing reduction (1:54 min for T2DL and 5:06 min for T2S in axial, sagittal, and coronal imaging, respectively). Compared to T2S, T2DL had significantly higher SNR (p ≤ 0.001) and CNR (p ≤ 0.007), and without geometric distortion (p = 0.925-0.981). Inter-observer agreement regarding qualitative evaluation was excellent (Kendall's W > 0.75). T2DL provided superior image quality (all p < 0.001), boundary sharpness of the uterine zonal layers (all p < 0.001), lesion conspicuity (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p = 0.021), and fewer artifacts (all p < 0.001) in sagittal, axial, and coronal imaging. CONCLUSIONS Compared with standard TSE, deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted TSE is feasible to reduce acquisition time of female pelvic MRI with significant improvement of image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ren
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei-Shi Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Xia Zhu
- MR Collaboration, Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Xiao-Ye Wang
- MR Clinical Marketing, Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Yu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Lan He
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng-Yu Jin
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hua-Dan Xue
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuai Fu Yuan Road, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
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Bertozzi S, Corradetti B, Seriau L, Diaz Ñañez JA, Cedolini C, Fruscalzo A, Cesselli D, Cagnacci A, Londero AP. Nanotechnologies in Obstetrics and Cancer during Pregnancy: A Narrative Review. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081324. [PMID: 36013273 PMCID: PMC9410527 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology, the art of engineering structures on a molecular level, offers the opportunity to implement new strategies for the diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related disorders. This review aims to summarize the current state of nanotechnology in obstetrics and cancer in pregnancy, focusing on existing and potential applications, and provides insights on safety and future directions. A systematic and comprehensive literature assessment was performed, querying the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Endbase. The databases were searched from their inception to 22 March 2022. Five independent reviewers screened the items and extracted those which were more pertinent within the scope of this review. Although nanotechnology has been on the bench for many years, most of the studies in obstetrics are preclinical. Ongoing research spans from the development of diagnostic tools, including optimized strategies to selectively confine contrast agents in the maternal bloodstream and approaches to improve diagnostics tests to be used in obstetrics, to the synthesis of innovative delivery nanosystems for therapeutic interventions. Using nanotechnology to achieve spatial and temporal control over the delivery of therapeutic agents (e.g., commonly used drugs, more recently defined formulations, or gene therapy-based approaches) offers significant advantages, including the possibility to target specific cells/tissues of interest (e.g., the maternal bloodstream, uterus wall, or fetal compartment). This characteristic of nanotechnology-driven therapy reduces side effects and the amount of therapeutic agent used. However, nanotoxicology appears to be a significant obstacle to adopting these technologies in clinical therapeutic praxis. Further research is needed in order to improve these techniques, as they have tremendous potential to improve the accuracy of the tests applied in clinical praxis. This review showed the increasing interest in nanotechnology applications in obstetrics disorders and pregnancy-related pathologies to improve the diagnostic algorithms, monitor pregnancy-related diseases, and implement new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bertozzi
- Breast Unit, Department of Surgery, DAME, University Hospital of “Santa Maria della Misericordia”, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Ennergi Research (Non-Profit Organisation), 33050 Lestizza, Italy
| | - Bruna Corradetti
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Luca Seriau
- Breast Unit, Department of Surgery, DAME, University Hospital of “Santa Maria della Misericordia”, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - José Andrés Diaz Ñañez
- Breast Unit, Department of Surgery, DAME, University Hospital of “Santa Maria della Misericordia”, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Ennergi Research (Non-Profit Organisation), 33050 Lestizza, Italy
| | - Carla Cedolini
- Breast Unit, Department of Surgery, DAME, University Hospital of “Santa Maria della Misericordia”, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Ennergi Research (Non-Profit Organisation), 33050 Lestizza, Italy
| | - Arrigo Fruscalzo
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Fribourg, 1752 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Cesselli
- Institute of Pathology, DAME, University of Udine, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Angelo Cagnacci
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Infant Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Ambrogio P. Londero
- Ennergi Research (Non-Profit Organisation), 33050 Lestizza, Italy
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Infant Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: or
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How Could Nanomedicine Improve the Safety of Contrast Agents for MRI during Pregnancy? SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sci4010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a delicate state, during which timely investigation of possible physiological anomalies is essential to reduce the risk of maternal and fetal complications. Medical imaging encompasses different technologies to image the human body for the diagnosis, course of treatment management, and follow-up of diseases. Ultrasound (US) is currently the imaging system of choice for pregnant patients. However, sonographic evaluations can be non-effective or give ambiguous results. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), due to its excellent tissue penetration, the possibility of acquisition of three-dimensional anatomical information, and its high spatial resolution, is considered a valid diagnostical alternative. Nevertheless, currently employed contrast agents to improve the MRI image quality are harmful to the fetus. Because of their ability to cross the placenta, their use on pregnant patients is avoided. This review will firstly recapitulate the most common non-obstetrical, obstetrical, and fetal indications for magnetic resonance imaging on pregnant women. Fetal safety risks, due to the use of strong magnetic fields and exogenous contrast agents, will be presented. Then, possible advantages of nanostructured contrast agents compared to current molecular ones are explored. Nanosystems’ characteristics affecting contrast efficiency, and their potential for improving contrast-enhanced MRI’s safety in pregnant women, are discussed. Lastly, promising examples of nanoparticles as safer alternatives to current MRI contrast agents in pregnancy are discussed.
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Ghaghada KB, Bhavane R, Badachhape A, Tanifum E, Annapragada A. Nanoprobes for Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Atherosclerosis Research. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2419:809-823. [PMID: 35238003 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Atheromatous lesions are characterized by intrusion into the vascular lumen, resulting in morphological changes to the blood compartment and into the vessel wall, resulting in characteristic molecular and cellular signatures in the solid tissue of the intima, tunica media, adventitia and surrounding tissue. Nanoprobes can be easily formulated to provide long blood-pool residence and molecular targeting, facilitating the imaging of atheromatous changes. Detection of nanoprobes can be accomplished by a variety of methods. We focus in this chapter on the use of cross-sectional imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), that facilitate in vivo, noninvasive imaging of the vascular morphology and molecular/cellular signatures of the atheroma. The methods described are suitable for use in animal models, although versions of the probes are being readied for clinical trials, potentially facilitating clinical use in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan B Ghaghada
- E.B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rohan Bhavane
- E.B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Badachhape
- E.B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric Tanifum
- E.B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ananth Annapragada
- E.B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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MRI in Pregnancy and Precision Medicine: A Review from Literature. J Pers Med 2021; 12:jpm12010009. [PMID: 35055324 PMCID: PMC8778056 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers excellent spatial and contrast resolution for evaluating a wide variety of pathologies, without exposing patients to ionizing radiations. Additionally, MRI offers reproducible diagnostic imaging results that are not operator-dependent, a major advantage over ultrasound. MRI is commonly used in pregnant women to evaluate, most frequently, acute abdominal and pelvic pain or placental abnormalities, as well as neurological or fetal abnormalities, infections, or neoplasms. However, to date, our knowledge about MRI safety during pregnancy, especially about the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents, which are able to cross the placental barrier, is still limited, raising concerns about possible negative effects on both the mother and the health of the fetus. Contrast agents that are unable to cross the placenta in a way that is safe for the fetus are desirable. In recent years, some preclinical studies, carried out in rodent models, have evaluated the role of long circulating liposomal nanoparticle-based blood-pool gadolinium contrast agents that do not penetrate the placental barrier due to their size and therefore do not expose the fetus to the contrast agent during pregnancy, preserving it from any hypothetical risks. Hence, we performed a literature review focusing on contrast and non-contrast MRI use during pregnancy.
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Nelson KM, Irvin-Choy N, Hoffman MK, Gleghorn JP, Day ES. Diseases and conditions that impact maternal and fetal health and the potential for nanomedicine therapies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:425-438. [PMID: 33002575 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Maternal mortality rates in the United States have steadily increased since 1987 to the current rate of over 16 deaths per 100,000 live births. Whereas most of these deaths are related to an underlying condition, such as cardiovascular disease, many pregnant women die from diseases that emerge as a consequence of pregnancy. Both pre-existing and emergent diseases and conditions are difficult to treat in pregnant women because of the potential harmful effects of the treatment on the developing fetus. Often the health of the woman and the health of the baby are at odds and must be weighed against each other when medical treatment is needed, frequently leading to iatrogenic preterm birth. However, the use of engineered nanomedicines has the potential to fill the treatment gap for pregnant women. This review describes several conditions that may afflict pregnant women and fetuses and introduces how engineered nanomedicines may be used to treat these illnesses. Although the field of maternal-fetal nanomedicine is in its infancy, with additional research and development, engineered nanotherapeutics may greatly improve outcomes for pregnant women and their offspring in the future.
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11
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Badachhape AA, Working PK, Srivastava M, Bhandari P, Stupin IV, Devkota L, Tanifum EA, Annapragada AV, Ghaghada KB. Pre-clinical dose-ranging efficacy, pharmacokinetics, tissue biodistribution, and toxicity of a targeted contrast agent for MRI of amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16185. [PMID: 32999398 PMCID: PMC7527957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73233-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In these preclinical studies, we describe ADx-001, an Aβ-targeted liposomal macrocyclic gadolinium (Gd) imaging agent, for MRI of amyloid plaques. The targeting moiety is a novel lipid-PEG conjugated styryl-pyrimidine. An MRI-based contrast agent such as ADx-001 is attractive because of the lack of radioactivity, ease of distribution, long shelf life, and the prevalence of MRI scanners. Dose-ranging efficacy studies were performed on a 1 T MRI scanner using a transgenic APP/PSEN1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. ADx-001 was tested at 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 mmol Gd/kg. Gold standard post-mortem amyloid immunostaining was used for the determination of sensitivity and specificity. ADx-001 toxicity was evaluated in rats and monkeys at doses up to 0.30 mmol Gd/kg. ADx-001 pharmacokinetics were determined in monkeys and its tissue distribution was evaluated in rats. ADx-001-enhanced MRI demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.05) brain signal enhancement in transgenic mice relative to wild type mice at all dose levels. ADx-001 demonstrated high sensitivity at 0.20 and 0.15 mmol Gd/kg and excellent specificity at all dose levels for in vivo imaging of β amyloid plaques. ADx-001 was well tolerated in rats and monkeys and exhibited the slow clearance from circulation and tissue biodistribution typical of PEGylated nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Badachhape
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Mayank Srivastava
- The Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Prajwal Bhandari
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 850, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Igor V Stupin
- The Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Laxman Devkota
- Department of Pediatrics-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Eric A Tanifum
- The Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ananth V Annapragada
- The Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ketan B Ghaghada
- The Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 850, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, USA.
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Nanoparticle Contrast-enhanced T1-Mapping Enables Estimation of Placental Fractional Blood Volume in a Pregnant Mouse Model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18707. [PMID: 31822711 PMCID: PMC6904754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive methods for estimating placental fractional blood volume (FBV) are of great interest for characterization of vascular perfusion in placentae during pregnancy to identify placental insufficiency that may be indicative of local ischemia or fetal growth restriction (FGR). Nanoparticle contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) may enable direct placental FBV estimation and may provide a reliable, 3D alternative to assess maternal-side placental perfusion. In this pre-clinical study, we investigated if placental FBV at 14, 16, and 18 days of gestation could be estimated through contrast-enhanced MRI using a long circulating blood-pool liposomal gadolinium contrast agent that does not penetrate the placental barrier. Placental FBV estimates of 0.47 ± 0.06 (E14.5), 0.50 ± 0.04 (E16.5), and 0.52 ± 0.04 (E18.5) were found through fitting pre-contrast and post-contrast T1 values in placental tissue using a variable flip angle method. MRI-derived placental FBV was validated against nanoparticle contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) derived placental FBV, where signal is directly proportional to the concentration of iodine contrast agent. The results demonstrate successful estimation of the placental FBV, with values statistically indistinguishable from the CT derived values.
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