PEG modification on ¹¹¹In-labeled phosphatidyl serine liposomes for imaging of atherosclerotic plaques

Introduction: Previously, we reported a probe for imaging of atherosclerotic plaques: ¹¹¹In-labeled liposomes. Liposomes were modified with phosphatidylserine (PS) because macrophages recognize PS and phagocytize apoptotic cells in plaques. PS modification was successful and we could visualize atherosclerotic plaques by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). However, too-rapid blood clearance reduced accumulation of PS-liposomes in plaques in vivo. Therefore, in the present study, PS-liposomes were modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to retard the rate of blood clearance. Methods: PS-liposomes (size, 100 nm or 200 nm) were PEGylated with PEG2000 or PEG5000 at 1 or 5 mol%, and radiolabeled with ¹¹¹In. For the study of uptake in vitro, liposomes were incubated with mouse peritoneal macrophages. Biodistribution studies in vivo were carried out in ddY mice. En face autoradiograms were obtained with apoE^−/− mice upon intravenous injection of ¹¹¹In-liposomes. Results: Uptake was decreased significantly at 5 mol% PEGylation in 100-nm PS-liposomes (*P < 0.05 vs. 0 mol%). All the PEGylated liposomes tested showed significantly lower uptake than the non-PEGylated control in 200-nm liposomes. In vivo results showed slower blood clearance in PEGylated liposomes. Autoradiograms in apoE^−/− mice were well matched with Oil Red O staining. Additionally, 200-nm PS-liposomes modified with 5%PEG2000 ([¹¹¹In]5%PEG2000PS200) showed the highest uptake to the region in vivo. Conclusions: As expected, PEGylation retarded the rate of blood clearance. In addition, it affected liposome uptake by macrophages in vitro. These results suggest that the balance between the rate of blood clearance and macrophage recognition is important, and [¹¹¹In]5%PEG2000PS200 showed the best results in our investigation