Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cardiomyocyte apoptosis has been implicated in numerous diseases involving the heart including ischemia, reperfusion injury and heart failure. However, despite significant advances in the biochemical characterization of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, the clinical significance of this process remains incompletely understood. The aim of this proposal is thus to develop the ability to image cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo in diseases such as heart failure and reperfusion injury. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and a novel magnetic nanoparticle, AnxCLIO-Cy5.5, will be used to accomplish this. The synthesis of AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 has been modified from its originally reported design to significantly improve its biological activity. We now hypothesize that 1) AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 will bind to apoptotic cardiomyocytes with an efficiency similar to that of unmodified Annexin. 2) The sensitivity of the probe will be adequate to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo. 3) The degree of AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 uptake in failing myocardium will correlate with the severity of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. 4) The pattern of probe accumulation following reperfusion injury will be of considerable prognostic significance. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies with AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 have shown highly encouraging results. We now plan to further investigate the sensitivity of the probe for the detection of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, in vivo, through the use of appropriate surgical and transgenic mouse models. Probe accumulation on the MR images will be correlated with cine MR images of cardiac function and myocardial contractility. Particular attention will be paid to the transmural extent of AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 accumulation after reperfusion injury and the effect this has on segmental contractile function. The proposed research will be conducted as part of an integrated research and training program to facilitate the applicant's transition to research independence. The proposed research also has the potential to facilitate a greater understanding of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and accelerate the development of novel cardioprotective strategies.