To study the NP targeting in static conditions, suspensions (200 μg/mL) of MTNs or unmodified UPE NPs (control group) were incubated on vWF-coated glass sides for 1 h. To determine the NP targeting in the flow condition, NP suspensions were flown over the vWF-coated glass sides at 10 dyn/cm2 using a parallel flow system.16 (link) After a 30 min flow, the glass slides were gently rinsed with PBS to remove loosely bound NPs and examined with SEM. The images were analyzed using ImageJ software to calculate the NP coverage on the vWF substrate.
In the ex vivo NP targeting study, near-infrared dye (NIR-797)-loaded MTNs were incubated on the luminal surface of the fresh porcine aorta after scraping off the endothelium. After an hour of incubation, the arteries were rinsed to remove loosely bound NPs. A Kodak in vivo FX imaging system (Carestream, Rochester, NY, USA) was employed to observe the NPs bound on the arterial wall and measure the fluorescent intensity of the NPs adhered on the arteries.
In the ex vivo NP targeting study, near-infrared dye (NIR-797)-loaded MTNs were incubated on the luminal surface of the fresh porcine aorta after scraping off the endothelium. After an hour of incubation, the arteries were rinsed to remove loosely bound NPs. A Kodak in vivo FX imaging system (Carestream, Rochester, NY, USA) was employed to observe the NPs bound on the arterial wall and measure the fluorescent intensity of the NPs adhered on the arteries.
