Development of Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tools for Risk Stratification of Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease Using Dual-Targeted Microparticles of Iron Oxide.

ABSTRACT: Identification of patients with high-risk asymptomatic carotid plaques remains a challenging but crucial step in stroke prevention. Inflammation is the key factor that drives plaque instability. Currently, there is no imaging tool in routine clinical practice to assess the inflammatory status within atherosclerotic plaques. We have developed a molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tool to quantitatively report the inflammatory activity in atherosclerosis using dual-targeted microparticles of iron oxide (DT-MPIO) against P-selectin and VCAM-1 as a smart MRI probe. A periarterial cuff was used to generate plaques with varying degree of phenotypes, inflammation and risk levels at specific locations along the same single carotid artery in an Apolipoprotein-E-deficient mouse model. Using t

SUBMITTER: Chan JMS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8918460 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature