8.3 MRI OF ENDOTHELIAL ADHESION MOLECULES IN CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS USING TARGETED ULTRASMALLSUPERPARAMAGNETIC PARTICLES OF IRON OXIDE (USPIO) - TOWARDS AN IN VIVO MODEL

DOI

10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.175How to use a DOI?

Abstract

Introduction: There is currently no clinical imaging techniques available to assess the degree of inflammation associated with atherosclerotic plaques. This study aims at visualising and characterising atherosclerosis using targeted USPIO as an MRI probe for detecting inflamed endothelial cells.

Method: The in vitro study consists of detection and characterisation of inflammatory markers on activated endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and anti-E-selectin antibody conjugated USPIO. The ex vivo stage involves characterisation of inflammatory markers on atherosclerotic plaques, and finally the in vivo stage consists of development of a rat model with focal lesions in carotid arteries to allow targeted molecular imaging by MRI.

Results: We have established an in vitro cellular model of endothelial inflammation induced with TNFα. We have confirmed the inflammation of endothelial cells with both immunocytochemistry and MRI. These preliminary results revealed a temporal expression of the inflammatory markers, such as, E-selectin and VCAM-1, and the expression of these markers was dose dependent on exposure to TNFα. Furthermore, we imaged rat carotid arteries in vivo by MRI.

Conclusion: We successfully developed an in vitro model to detect and characterise inflamed endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry and MRI. This will allow us to develop agents and protocols for imaging vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis in the future. We have also successfully imaged the carotid arteries in a live rat by in vivo MRI. This pilot study will form the basis for a translational study to provide clinicians with a novel tool for in vivo assessment of atherosclerosis.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

TY  - JOUR
AU  - J.M.S. Chan
AU  - K. Bhakoo
AU  - C. Monaco
AU  - R.G.J. Gibbs
PY  - 2009
DA  - 2009/12/03
TI  - 8.3 MRI OF ENDOTHELIAL ADHESION MOLECULES IN CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS USING TARGETED ULTRASMALLSUPERPARAMAGNETIC PARTICLES OF IRON OXIDE (USPIO) - TOWARDS AN IN VIVO MODEL
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 159
EP  - 160
VL  - 3
IS  - 4
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.175
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.175
ID  - Chan2009
ER  -