Cerium fluoride nanoparticles as a theranostic material for optical imaging of vulnerable atherosclerosis plaques

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic progressive vascular disease, which can bring on a threat against the health. The eruption of unstable arteriosclerosis plaques has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. The accumulation of foamy macrophages initiates and evolves atherosclerotic plaques, which can be a good target for identifying vulnerable plaques. CD36 and OPN overexpress in foamy macrophages surface, which have a preferable relation with plaque disruption. Furthermore, we choose Yb ions and Tm ions as doping ions and Ce fluoride as matrix of luminescent materials and prepare upconversion luminescent nanoparticles. With the modification of CD36 antibody and OPN antibody, this material can target macrophages in arteriosclerosis plaques. As‐prepared nanoparticles (CeF3:Yb,Tm@SiO2–CD36/OPN) can be excited by near‐infrared light with deep tissue penetration, while emitting strong blue light to image arteriosclerosis plaques. In brief, this study provides a new upconversion luminescent material for the identification and detection of vulnerable atherosclerosis plaques.