EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX IMAGING

摘要

The present invention relates to labelled conjugates for imaging extra cellular matrix components. It also relates to compositions and kits comprising these labelled conjugates and to imaging methods in which the conjugates are used. The conjugates of the invention comprise a peptide sequence which binds to an extra cellular matrix component, i.e. to an extra cellular matrix protein or to proteoglycans, and which is coupled to an imaging agent. In particular conjugates which bind to elastin, collagen or to a glycosaminoglycan are envisaged. The conjugates according to the invention have some important advantages over existing tools for imaging extra cellular matrix components, in particular for applications in tissue-engineering experiments or MRI. The use of protein conjugates of the invention allow visualization of very small extra cellular matrix components, such as newly formed collagen fibrils.