MPIO-VCAM-1

MPIO-VCAM-1 (also known as VCAM-MPIO) is a preclinical molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent developed at the University of Oxford. It consists of micron-sized particles of iron oxide (MPIO) covalently conjugated to monoclonal antibodies targeting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Upon intravenous administration, MPIO-VCAM-1 binds specifically to VCAM-1 expressed on the luminal surface of activated endothelial cells. This binding creates potent local magnetic field inhomogeneities, resulting in conspicuous hypointense signal voids on T2*-weighted MRI. This molecular imaging approach enables highly sensitive, non-invasive detection and quantification of endothelial activation and vascular inflammation in preclinical models of atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and early brain metastasis, often before blood-brain barrier breakdown occurs.

Other names

MPIO-VCAM-1MPIO-VCAM1MPIO-VCAM 1MPIO-anti-VCAM-1MPIO-anti-VCAM1MPIO-anti-VCAM 1MPIO@VCAM-1VCAM-1-MPIOVCAM1-MPIOVCAM 1-MPIOVCAM-MPIOanti-VCAM-1-MPIOanti-VCAM1-MPIOanti-VCAM 1-MPIO