Method for imaging a site of arthritis in an animal

摘要

The present disclosure demonstrates that a nanovesicle comprising a membrane-associated lysosomal protein (saposin C; “SapC”) incorporated into a phospholipid has a high fusogenic affinity for phosphatidylserine-rich domains on the surfaces of target cell membranes. It is believed that the nanovesicles target surface exposed phosphatidylserine on the membranes of cells associated with arthritis, allowing for detection of local tissue damage associated with arthritis. In plasma membranes, phosphatidylserine is normally present only on the inner leaflet but is “flipped” to the outer leaflet upon the presence of cell damage. Incorporation of the fluorophore in the nanovesicles allows for the in vivo visualization of the fluorophore in targeted tissue and provides a technique to detect and evaluate the onset and progression of arthritic disease in an animal. Furthermore, the use of the nanovesicle in optical imaging methods provides great promise for analyzing events occurring early in the pathogenesis of arthritis and arthritic disease.

主权项

1. A method for imaging a site of arthritis in an animal, the method comprising:
administering to the animal a nanovesicle comprising saposin C, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (DOPS), and a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of a far-red fluorophore and a near-infrared fluorophore; and optically imaging the site of arthritis in the animal, wherein the site of arthritis is detected by imaging a population of cells expressing a cell surface marker selected from the group consisting of CD11b, CD19, GR-1, CD55, and F480 at the site of arthritis.