High-resolution MR flow imaging for the characterization of arterial haemodynamics as an indicator of cellular pathomechanisms in early atherogenesis

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The non-invasive assessment of the pathomechanisms of atherosclerosis is an important tool for the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic procedures to improve the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In particular, high-resolution MR imaging is a predominant technique for the investigation of morphological and functional parameters of the cardiovascular system. Since changes in the vascular function may represent precursors of structural remodeling, they are particularly suitable as an early diagnostic marker. As MR imaging in the mouse model, however, imposes high requirements on the spatial and temporal resolution, highly efficient imaging techniques are necessary. In recent years important advances could be achieved in functional MR imaging of the vessel wall, vascular mechanics and the visualization of local inflammation, by us and others. To enable high-resolution detection of local vessel wall parameters over the entire area of the aorta, existing imaging methods have to be accelerated and optimized.The goal of the proposed project is the development of new techniques for the assessment and characterization of the vessel wall in early stages of atherosclerosis, based on high resolution MR measurement techniques. A particular focus will be the study of local changes of mechanical parameters such as pulse wave velocity, wall shear stress and vascular impedance. In vitro arterial models provide a controlled environment of physiological and pathological conditions and thus are particularly suitable for the development and validation of new examination methods. Different flow dynamics are to be realized and characterized by means of highly resolved MRT, and their effects on the vessel physiology are to be examined down to a molecular biology level. Moreover, the extension of the arterial model to an atherosclerosis model is intended to provide information on the reaction of biological factors on the vessel hemodynamics.In the further course, functional imaging will be combined with the molecular and high-resolution morphological MR imaging in order to examine different influences on the development of atherosclerosis. Early diagnostic markers will subsequently be used to assess physiological processes of atherogenesis in longitudinal studies in atherosclerosis mouse models. Knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms in the early stages of atherosclerosis is expected to serve as a basis for the development of therapeutic and prophylactic measures.