glycosylated superparamagnetic iron oxide

Glycosylated superparamagnetic iron oxide (YHT) is an investigational MRI contrast agent developed by Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital for the detection of inflammatory vascular wall pathology. As a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle, it is designed to be phagocytosed by macrophages, which are key cellular components of inflammatory infiltrates in conditions such as atherosclerosis, arteritis, and thrombosis. The glycosylation of the iron oxide core likely serves to improve biocompatibility, prolong circulation time, or enhance specific uptake by inflammatory cells. In clinical studies, YHT-enhanced MRI is being evaluated for its ability to identify vulnerable plaques and assess the extent of panvascular inflammation across multiple vascular beds, including the arterial and venous systems.

Other names

glycosylated superparamagnetic iron oxideYHT-enhanced MRI agent