Morphology and Imaging Core

形态单位和成像核心将在动物模型中提供动脉粥样硬化的分析，使用传统和新技术提供范围、进展速度和成分的测量。对于此次PPG更新，形态核心将在尤里·米勒博士的指导下整合到加州大学圣迭戈分校的一个地点。总体目标将是为项目中的研究人员提供评估动脉粥样硬化的传统和新技术。第一个具体目标是在动物模型中提供动脉粥样硬化程度的定量测量。这包括对面部病变的常规分析，主动脉根部的病变体积，以及最近腹主动脉的病变体积。第二个具体目标是利用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜和免疫荧光技术，包括柯蒂斯博士以前开发的技术，对动脉粥样硬化病变中的巨噬细胞渗透进行定量。第三个特定目标将提供组织和细胞形态的定性和定量成像分析。这包括为基因表达研究提供非固定组织，为病变或细胞形态提供石蜡包埋或冰冻切片，还包括根据需要进行激光捕获显微切割。特定目标4将提供从胸主动脉和腹主动脉解剖的主动脉周围脂肪组织。这是一个新的功能，将满足对主动脉周围脂肪组织的新关注，这将是项目2的主要研究领域，在项目3中的研究范围较小。形态和成像核心被PPG的研究人员广泛使用，并已进化以满足新的需求。我们预计它将继续在PPG的生活中发挥核心作用。

The Morphology Unit and Imaging Core will provide for analyses of atherosclerosis in animal models, providing measures of extent, rate of progression and composition using both conventional and novel techniques. For this PPG renewal, the Morphology Core will be consolidated in one location, at UCSD under direction of Dr. Yury Miller. The overall goal will be to provide Investigators in the Projects both conventional and novel techniques to assess atherosclerosis. The 1st Specific Aim is to provide quantitative measurements of the extent of atherosclerosis in animal models. This includes conventional analysis of en face lesions, lesion volume at the root ofthe aorta, and recently, lesion volume in the abdominal aorta. The 2nd Specific Aim is to provide quantitation of macrophage infiltration in atherosclerotic lesions by use of laser scanning confocal microscopy and immunofluorescent techniques, including those previously developed by Dr. Curtiss. The 3rd Specific Aim will provide qualitative and quantitative imaging analysis of tissue and cellular morphology. This includes the provision of non-fixed tissues for gene expression studies, paraffin embedded or frozen sections for lesion or cellular morphology, and also includes laser capture microdissection as needed. Specific Aim 4 will provide dissected peri-aortic adipose tissue from the thoracic and abdominal aortas. This is a new function that will meet the new focus on peri-aortic adipose tissue that will be a major area of study for Project 2, and to a lesser extent in Project 3. The Morphology and Imaging Core is widely used by Investigators ofthe PPG and has evolved to meet new needs as noted. We anticipate that it will continue to provide a centrally important role in the life ofthe PPG.