MULTI-SPECTRAL IMAGING OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

这个子项目是许多利用资源的研究子项目之一 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目的主要支持 而子项目的主要调查员可能是由其他来源提供的， 包括其它NIH来源。 列出的子项目总成本可能 代表子项目使用的中心基础设施的估计数量， 而不是由NCRR赠款提供给子项目或子项目工作人员的直接资金。 将在80 - 140 kVp的能量范围内进行扫描。这些是ApoE -/-小鼠标本，这是动脉粥样硬化研究中使用的标准小鼠模型。 人类动脉粥样硬化的发展涉及钙化的形成和炎性细胞如巨噬细胞在斑块部位的积累。诊断易损斑块和非易损斑块的主要挑战是识别炎症和钙化的程度。本项目的目的是研究多光谱成像用于区分动脉粥样硬化斑块中的碘负载巨噬细胞和钙化的可行性。将在动脉粥样硬化小鼠模型（ApoE小鼠）标本中进行初步研究。具体目标是： 1.在不同能量设置下对对照小鼠样本进行成像。我们将尝试回答以下问题：a）钙化信号（HU）如何作为kVp的函数变化; B）碘信号如何作为kVp的函数变化; c）我们能否区分碘信号和钙化信号？ 2.碘负载的ApoE小鼠的成像：ApoE小鼠将注射脂质体-碘。将在稍后的时间点处死动物（所有活体动物研究将根据批准的动物方案在Houston进行）。然后将对小鼠标本进行多光谱显微CT成像。我们将尝试回答以下问题：a）我们能否将斑块内的碘信号与钙信号分开; B）我们能否量化碘信号并将其与斑块中存在的巨噬细胞数量相关联？ 区分碘信号与钙信号的能力可能有助于开发用于区分稳定与“破裂倾向”动脉粥样硬化斑块的造影剂。这将对疾病晚期患者的筛查产生巨大影响。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. Primary support for the subproject and the subproject's principal investigator may have been provided by other sources, including other NIH sources. The Total Cost listed for the subproject likely represents the estimated amount of Center infrastructure utilized by the subproject, not direct funding provided by the NCRR grant to the subproject or subproject staff. Scans will be performed at energies ranging between 80 - 140 kVp. These are ApoE -/- mice specimens, which is the standard mouse model used in the study atherosclerosis. The development of atherosclerosis in humans involve formation of calcifications and accumulation of inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, at sites of plaque. A major challenge in the diagnosis of vulnerable from non-vulnerable plaque is to identify the extent of inflammation and calcification. The goal of this project is to investigate the feasibility of multi-spectral imaging for differentiating iodine-loaded macrophages from calcifications in atherosclerotic plaques. Preliminary studies will be performed in specimens of mice models of atherosclerosis (ApoE mice). The specific aims are: 1. Imaging of control mice specimens at different energy settings. We will try to answer the following questions: a) how does calcification signal (HU) vary as a function of kVp; b) how does iodine signal vary as a function of kVp; c) can we differentiate iodine signal from calcification signal ? 2. Imaging of iodine-loaded ApoE mice: ApoE mice will be injected with liposomal-iodine. The animals will be sacrificed at later time points (all of the live animal studies will be performed in Houston under approval animal protocol). The mice specimens will then undergo multi-spectral micro-CT imaging. We will try to answer the following questions: a) Can we separate iodine signal from calcium signal within the plaque; b) Can we quantify iodine signal and correlate it with the number of macrophages present in the plaque ? The ability to differentiate iodine signal from calcium signal could have facilitate development of contrast agents for differentiating stable from'rupture-prone' atherosclerotic plaques. This would have huge implications in the screening of patients who are at late stage of the disease.