Current intravascular imaging modalities face hurdles in the molecular evaluation of progressed plaques. This study aims to construct a novel hybrid imaging system (intravascular ultrasound/intravascular photoacoustic, IVPA/IVUS) via RGDfk peptide-targeted nanoparticles for monitoring angiogenesis in progressed atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model. An atherosclerotic rabbit model was induced by abdominal aorta balloon de-endothelialization followed by a high-fat diet. A human serum albumin (HSA)-based nanoprobe modified with RGDfk peptide was constructed by encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) via electrostatic force (ICG-HSA-RGDfk NPs, IHR-NPs). A hybrid intravascular imaging system that combined IVUS and IVPA was self-assembled for RGDfk visualization within atherosclerotic plaques in the rabbit abdominal aorta. Through IHR-NPs and the hybrid IVUS/IVPA imaging platform, multiple comprehensive pieces of information on progressed plaques, including anatomical information, composition information and molecular information, can be obtained simultaneously, which may improve the precise diagnosis of plaque characteristics and the evaluation of early interventions for atherosclerosis.

目前的血管内成像方式在进展性斑块的分子评估方面面临障碍。本研究旨在通过RGDfk肽靶向纳米颗粒构建新型混合成像系统（血管内超声/血管内光声，IVPA/IVUS），用于监测兔模型中进展性动脉粥样硬化斑块的血管生成。通过腹主动脉球囊去内皮化随后高脂饮食诱导动脉粥样硬化兔模型。通过静电力封装吲哚菁绿（ICG），构建了 RGDfk 肽修饰的基于人血清白蛋白（HSA）的纳米探针（ICG-HSA-RGDfk NP、IHR-NP）。自组装了结合 IVUS 和 IVPA 的混合血管内成像系统，用于兔子腹主动脉动脉粥样硬化斑块内的 RGDfk 可视化。通过IHR-NPs和混合IVUS/IVPA成像平台，可以同时获得进展斑块的多种综合信息，包括解剖信息、成分信息和分子信息，这可以提高斑块特征的精确诊断和评估动脉粥样硬化的早期干预。