Background—In this study, we developed and validated a new approach for in vivo visualization of inflammatory processes by magnetic resonance imaging using biochemically inert nanoemulsions of perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

Methods and Results—Local inflammation was provoked in 2 separate murine models of acute cardiac and cerebral ischemia, followed by intravenous injection of PFCs. Simultaneous acquisition of morphologically matching proton (¹H) and fluorine (¹⁹F) images enabled an exact anatomic localization of PFCs after application. Repetitive ¹H/¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging at 9.4 T revealed a time-dependent infiltration of injected PFCs into the border zone of infarcted areas in both injury models, and histology demonstrated a colocalization of PFCs with cells of the monocyte/macrophage system. We regularly found the accumulation of PFCs in lymph nodes. Using rhodamine-labeled PFCs, we identified circulating monocytes/macrophages as the main cell fraction taking up injected nanoparticles.

Conclusions—PFCs can serve as a "positive" contrast agent for the detection of inflammation by magnetic resonance imaging, permitting a spatial resolution close to the anatomic ¹H image and an excellent degree of specificity resulting from the lack of any ¹⁹F background. Because PFCs are nontoxic, this approach may have a broad application in the imaging and diagnosis of numerous inflammatory disease states.