The diagnostic utility of the apoptosis-sensing nanoparticle (NP), AnxCLIO-Cy5.5, is well established. Here we sought to define the pathophysiological impact of the nanoparticle (NP) on apoptotic cells. Confocal microscopy showed that AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 remained bound to apoptotic cell membranes for 3 hours but by 7 hours had become completely internalized. AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 exposure did not impact energetics, metabolism or caspase-3 activity in apoptotic cells. Gene expression in cells exposed to AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 did not reveal upregulation of pro-inflammatory or cell-death pathways. Moreover, exposure to AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 decreased the frequency of membrane rupture of early apoptotic cells. Similarly, in mice exposed to 1 hour of ischemia -reperfusion, the injection of AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 at the onset of reperfusion reduced infarct size/area at risk by 16.2%. Our findings suggest that AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 may protect apoptotic cells by stabilizing their cell membranes and has the potential to become a theranostic agent, capable of both identifying and salvaging early apoptotic cells. From the Clinical Editor: This study demonstrates that AnxCLIO-Cy5.5 nanoparticles may protect apoptotic cells by cell membrane stabilization and have the potential to become a "theranostic agent" capable of identifying and salvaging early apoptotic cells.
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