Noninvasive multitarget-imaging of vascular inflammation and its progression in atherosclerosis using MRI

动脉粥样硬化及其后遗症对发病率和死亡率有重要影响。炎症的动脉粥样硬化斑块的破裂是一个关键事件，因为它可以导致急性血管闭合。因此，不仅检测即将闭合的早期斑块破裂具有临床意义，而且还能及时检测血管炎症和动脉粥样硬化斑块的进展。该项目的目的是通过非侵入性核磁共振成像成像反映小鼠血管炎症的不同表位。使用多标记物/多靶点方法和专门的磁共振成像方案，将量化LOX-1、VCAM和GPVI在高脂饮食ApoE-/-小鼠斑块进展过程中的不同时间点的表达。此外，他汀类药物作为抗炎药的影响将通过这项技术进行研究。所描述的方法将允许对斑块/疾病进展过程中动脉粥样硬化斑块中的炎症活动进行非普遍的体内评估，以及监测抗炎药物治疗。这项技术不仅对未来使用人类相容造影剂转移到人类身上有潜在的意义，而且对于在动物模型中非侵入性地评估动脉粥样硬化性炎症活动也是有意义的，这些动物模型描述了基因敲除或特定治疗对疾病进展的影响。

Atherosclerosis and its sequelae have a major impact on morbidity and mortality. The rupture of an inflamed atherosclerotic plaque is a crucial event, since it can result in acute vessel closure. Not only detection of early plaque rupture with imminent closure is therefore of clinical interest, but also timely detection of vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque progression. The aim of this project is to image different epitopes reflecting vascular inflammation by noninvasive MRI in mice. Using a multimarker/multitarget approach and a dedicated MRI protocol, expression of LOX-1, VCAM and GPVI will be quantified at different timepoints during plaque progression in ApoE-/--mice on high fat diet. Furthermore, the influence of statins as antiinflammatory agent will be studied by this technique. The described approach will allow a nonvasive in vivo evaluation of inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaques during plaque/disease progression, as well as monitoring of antiinflammatory drug therapy. This technique is not only of interest for a potential future transfer into humans using human compatible contrast agents, but also for the noninvasive evaluation of atherosclerotic inflammatory activity in animal models adressing the influence of knockouts or specific therapies on disease progression