Targeting mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule (MAdCAM)-1 to noninvasively image experimental Crohn's disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the second most common chronic inflammatory disorder worldwide; however, a noninvasive means of accurately assessing the severity and extent of intestinal inflammation is currently not available. The aim of the present study was to develop a noninvasive imaging modality to detect and evaluate ileitis in SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice.

METHODS:

An image-enhancing ultrasound (US) contrast agent, consisting of encapsulated gaseous microbubbles (MB), was developed specifically to bind mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), a mucosal-restricted addressin up-regulated during gut inflammation. MAdCAM-1-targeted MB (MB(M)) were tested for binding specificity on MAdCAM-1 protein and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated SVEC4-10 endothelial cells using an in vitro flow chamber assay and for their ability to detect and quantify ileitis by intravital microscopy and transabdominal US.

RESULTS:

Under in vitro flow conditions, a 100-fold increase in MB(M) binding was observed on MAdCAM-1 protein compared with nonspecific MB (P < .001). TNF-stimulated endothelial cells bound significantly more MB(M) vs nonspecific MB (P < .001), which was abrogated after preincubation with anti-MAdCAM-1 antibodies (P < .001). In vivo, MB(M) specifically accumulated in focal areas of ileal inflammation and produced stronger acoustic echoes, measured by average video intensity, in SAMP vs uninflamed AKR mice (P < .001) or SAMP given nonspecific MB (P < .001). MB(M)-specific video intensity showed a strong positive correlation with total ileal inflammatory scores (R2 = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS:

We have developed a novel intravascular US contrast agent targeting MAdCAM-1 that specifically detects and quantifies intestinal inflammation in experimental ileitis, providing the potential for a reliable, noninvasive means to diagnose and monitor disease in patients with IBD.

• Authors: Christopher Bachmann, Alexander L Klibanov, Timothy S Olson, Jason R Sonnenschein, Jesus Rivera-Nieves, Fabio Cominelli, Klaus F Ley, Jonathan R Lindner, Theresa T Pizarro
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 130 Issue 1 Pg. 8-16 (Jan 2006) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16401463 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Immunoglobulins
• MADCAM1 protein, human
• Mucoproteins

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Crohn Disease (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Flow Cytometry
• Immunoglobulins (analysis)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Inflammation
• Intestines (immunology, pathology)
• Mice
• Microbubbles
• Mucoproteins (analysis)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Ultrasonography