P-selectin
Upon platelet activation P-selectin, which is also known as CD62P, is
rapidly mobilised from alpha granules to the platelet surface membrane,
thereby allowing for the discrimination between non-activated and
activated platelets. The expression of P-selectin also leads to
leukocyte recruitment into the vessel via P-selectin glycoprotein
ligand-1 (PSGL-1) (Furie and Furie, 2004). By conjugating microbubbles
with either a P-selectin monoclonal antibody or a PSGL-1 recombinant
targeting ligand, Davidson et al. visualised enhanced ultrasound imaging
in the post-ischemic regions using a hind-limb ischemia murine model, as
well as myocardial I/R injury in both a murine and a non-human primate
model (Davidson et al., 2012, 2014). These microbubbles produced an
increase in signal enhancement at the 90 min and 3 h time-points
post-cardiac I/R injury (Figure 1) (Davidson et al., 2012). The area of
contrast enhancement on ultrasound correlated with the area at risk of
ischemia on histology.