Superparamagnetic iron oxide binding and uptake as imaged by magnetic resonance is mediated by the integrin receptor Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18): Implications on imaging of atherosclerotic plaques

Introduction: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been successfully used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of atherosclerotic plaques. Endocytosis into monocytes/macrophages has been proposed as the mechanism for SPION uptake, but a specific receptor has not been identified yet. A potential candidate is the versatile integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18,