Preliminary Study of a Ninj1‐Loaded Bimodal Ultrasound/NIR Fluorescence Targeted Molecular Probe for Diagnosing Early‐Stage Inflammation in Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) exhibits a high prevalence and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, underscoring the critical importance of early detection. Early identification of CMD can significantly improve patient prognosis. This study aims to provide a novel strategy for the precise diagnosis of CMD during its early inflammatory phase. Focusing on this key inflammatory stage in the pathological progression, we sought to identify stage-specific molecular biomarkers. Through proteomic screening, we identified Nerve Injury-Induced Protein 1 (Ninj1). During the inflammatory response, Ninj1 promotes leukocyte migration and macrophage transendothelial migration, thereby influencing the trafficking and distribution of inflammatory cells. IR780 is a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent agent characterized by excellent photostability and low toxicity. Loading IR780 onto nanoparticles enhances its in vivo biocompatibility and photostability while prolonging its circulation time. This project proposes a dual-modal molecular imaging probe targeting Ninj1 and loaded with IR780, which integrates NIR fluorescence and ultrasound imaging capabilities. This probe is designed to enable the early screening of CMD.