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Mangarova DB, Reimann C, Kaufmann JO, Möckel J, Kader A, Adams LC, Ludwig A, Onthank D, Robinson S, Karst U, Helmer R, Botnar R, Hamm B, Makowski MR, Brangsch J. Elastin-specific MR probe for visualization and evaluation of an interleukin-1β targeted therapy for atherosclerosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20648. [PMID: 39232217 PMCID: PMC11375012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71716-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the arteries and represents the primary cause of various cardiovascular diseases. Despite ongoing progress, finding effective anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis remains a challenge. Here, we assessed the potential of molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the effects of 01BSUR, an anti-interleukin-1β monoclonal antibody, for treating atherosclerosis in a murine model. Male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were divided into a therapy group (01BSUR, 2 × 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously, n = 10) and control group (no treatment, n = 10) and received a high-fat diet for eight weeks. The plaque burden was assessed using an elastin-targeted gadolinium-based contrast probe (0.2 mmol/kg intravenously) on a 3 T MRI scanner. T1-weighted imaging showed a significantly lower contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratio in the 01BSUR group (pre: 3.93042664; post: 8.4007067) compared to the control group (pre: 3.70679168; post: 13.2982156) following administration of the elastin-specific MRI probe (p < 0.05). Histological examinations demonstrated a significant reduction in plaque size (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in plaque elastin content (p < 0.05) in the treatment group compared to control animals. This study demonstrated that 01BSUR hinders the progression of atherosclerosis in a mouse model. Using an elastin-targeted MRI probe, we could quantify these therapeutic effects in MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilyana Branimirova Mangarova
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Carolin Reimann
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Ole Kaufmann
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Möckel
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Avan Kader
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Christine Adams
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Ludwig
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Onthank
- Lantheus Medical Imaging, 331 Treble Cove Road, North Billerica, MA, United States of America
| | - Simon Robinson
- Lantheus Medical Imaging, 331 Treble Cove Road, North Billerica, MA, United States of America
| | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebecca Helmer
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rene Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust/EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- BHF Centre of Excellence, King's College London, Denmark Hill Campus, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Richard Makowski
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Brangsch
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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Kiessling F, Schulz V. Perspectives of Evidence-Based Therapy Management. Nuklearmedizin 2023; 62:314-322. [PMID: 37802059 DOI: 10.1055/a-2159-6949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutics that specifically address biological processes often require a much finer selection of patients and subclassification of diseases. Thus, diagnostic procedures must describe the diseases in sufficient detail to allow selection of appropriate therapy and to sensitively track therapy response. Anatomical features are often not sufficient for this purpose and there is a need to image molecular and pathophysiological processes. METHOD Two imaging strategies can be pursued: molecular imaging attempts to image a few biomarkers that play key roles in pathological processes. Alternatively, patterns describing a biological process can be identified from the synopsis of multiple (non-specific) imaging markers, possibly in combination with omics and other clinical findings. Here, AI-based methods are increasingly being used. RESULTS Both strategies of evidence-based therapy management are explained in this review article and examples and clinical successes are presented. In this context, reviews of clinically approved molecular diagnostics and decision support systems are listed. Furthermore, since reliable, representative, and sufficiently large datasets are further important prerequisites for AI-assisted multiparametric analyses, concepts are presented to make data available in a structured way, e. g., using Generative Adversarial Networks to complement databases with virtual cases and to build completely anonymous reference databases. CONCLUSION Molecular imaging and computer-assisted cluster analysis of diagnostic data are complementary methods to describe pathophysiological processes. Both methods have the potential to improve (evidence-based) the future management of therapies, partly on their own but also in combined approaches. KEY POINTS · Molecular imaging and radiomics provide valuable complementary disease biomarkers.. · Data-driven, model-based, and hybrid model-based integrated diagnostics advance precision medicine.. · Synthetic data generation may become essential in the development process of future AI methods..
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kiessling
- Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Molekulare Bildgebung, Aachen, Germany
- Group Aachen, Fraunhofer-Institut für Digitale Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Volkmar Schulz
- Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Molekulare Bildgebung, Aachen, Germany
- Group Aachen, Fraunhofer-Institut für Digitale Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
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3
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Klinkhammer BM, Boor P. Kidney fibrosis: Emerging diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 93:101206. [PMID: 37541106 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of patients worldwide suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is accompanied by kidney fibrosis, which affects all compartments of the kidney, i.e., the glomeruli, tubulointerstitium, and vasculature. Fibrosis is the best predictor of progression of kidney diseases. Currently, there is no specific anti-fibrotic therapy for kidney patients and invasive renal biopsy remains the only option for specific detection and quantification of kidney fibrosis. Here we review emerging diagnostic approaches and potential therapeutic options for fibrosis. We discuss how translational research could help to establish fibrosis-specific endpoints for clinical trials, leading to improved patient stratification and potentially companion diagnostics, and facilitating and optimizing development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies for kidney patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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Fernández-Colino A, Kiessling F, Slabu I, De Laporte L, Akhyari P, Nagel SK, Stingl J, Reese S, Jockenhoevel S. Lifelike Transformative Materials for Biohybrid Implants: Inspired by Nature, Driven by Technology. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300991. [PMID: 37290055 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Today's living world is enriched with a myriad of natural biological designs, shaped by billions of years of evolution. Unraveling the construction rules of living organisms offers the potential to create new materials and systems for biomedicine. From the close examination of living organisms, several concepts emerge: hierarchy, pattern repetition, adaptation, and irreducible complexity. All these aspects must be tackled to develop transformative materials with lifelike behavior. This perspective article highlights recent progress in the development of transformative biohybrid systems for applications in the fields of tissue regeneration and biomedicine. Advances in computational simulations and data-driven predictions are also discussed. These tools enable the virtual high-throughput screening of implant design and performance before committing to fabrication, thus reducing the development time and cost of biomimetic and biohybrid constructs. The ongoing progress of imaging methods also constitutes an essential part of this matter in order to validate the computation models and enable longitudinal monitoring. Finally, the current challenges of lifelike biohybrid materials, including reproducibility, ethical considerations, and translation, are discussed. Advances in the development of lifelike materials will open new biomedical horizons, where perhaps what is currently envisioned as science fiction will become a science-driven reality in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Fernández-Colino
- Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex), AME-Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ioana Slabu
- Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB), Institute of Applied Medical Engineering (AME), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CMBS), Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Payam Akhyari
- Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Saskia K Nagel
- Applied Ethics Group, RWTH Aachen University, Theaterplatz 14, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Stingl
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Wendlingweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reese
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Jockenhoevel
- Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex), AME-Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Saha P, Gutmann C, Kingdon J, Dregan A, Bertolaccini L, Grover SP, Patel AS, Modarai B, Lyons O, Schulz C, Andia ME, Phinikaridou A, Botnar RM, Smith A. Venous Thrombosis Accelerates Atherosclerosis in Mice. Circulation 2023; 147:1945-1947. [PMID: 37335825 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.064268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Saha
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Clemens Gutmann
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (C.G.)
| | - Jack Kingdon
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandru Dregan
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine (A.D.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Bertolaccini
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven P Grover
- University of North Carolina Blood Research Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (S.P.G.)
| | - Ashish S Patel
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Bijan Modarai
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Lyons
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch (O.L.)
| | - Christian Schulz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany (C.S.)
| | - Marcelo E Andia
- Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine (M.E.A), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering (iHEALTH), Santiago, Chile (M.E.A, R.M.B)
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences (A.P., R.M.B.). King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - René M Botnar
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences (A.P., R.M.B.). King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Engineering (R.M.B.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering (R.M.B.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering (iHEALTH), Santiago, Chile (M.E.A, R.M.B)
| | - Alberto Smith
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.P., R.M.B., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (P.S., C.G., J.K., L.B., A.S.P., B.M., O.L., A.S.), King's College London, United Kingdom
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Lu ZR, Laney V, Li Y. Targeted Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging of Cancer. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:2833-2847. [PMID: 36121350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a clinical imaging modality that provides high-resolution images of soft tissues, including cancerous lesions. Stable gadolinium(III) chelates have been used as contrast agents (CA) in MRI to enhance the contrast between the tissues of interest and surrounding tissues for accurate diagnostic imaging. Magnetic resonance molecular imaging (MRMI) of cancer requires targeted CA to specifically elucidate cancer-associated molecular processes and can provide high-resolution delineation and characterization of cancer for precision medicine. The main challenge for MRMI is the lack of sufficient sensitivity to detect the low concentration of the cellular oncogenic markers. In addition, targeted CA must satisfy regulatory safety requirements prior to clinical development. Up to now, there is no FDA-approved targeted CA for MRMI of cancer.In this Account, we discuss the latest developments in the design and development of clinically translatable targeted CA for MRMI of cancer, with an emphasis on our own research. The primary limitation of MRMI can be overcome by designing small molecular targeted CA to target abundant cancer-specific targets found in the tumor microenvironment (TME). For example, aggressive tumors have a unique extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of oncoproteins, which can be used as targetable markers for MRMI. We have designed and prepared small peptide conjugates of clinical contrast agents, including Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA, to target fibrin-fibronectin clots in tumors. These small molecular CA have been effective in enhancing MRMI detection of solid tumors and have demonstrated the ability to detect submillimeter cancer micrometastases in mouse tumor models, exceeding the detection limit of current clinical imaging modalities. We have also identified extradomain B fibronectin (EDB-FN), an oncofetal subtype of fibronectin, as a promising TME target to leverage in the design and development of small peptide targeted CA for clinical translation. The expression level of EDB-FN is correlated with invasiveness of cancer cells and poor patient survival of multiple cancer types. ZD2 peptide with a sequence of seven amino acids (TVRTSAD) was identified to specifically bind to the EDB protein fragment. Several ZD2 conjugates of macrocyclic GBCA, including Gd-DOTA and Gd(HP-DO3A), have been synthesized and tested in mouse tumor models. ZD2-N3-Gd(HP-DO3A) (MT218) with a high r1 relaxivity was selected as the lead agent for clinical translation. The physicochemical properties and preclinical assessments of MT218 are summarized in this Account. MRMI of EDB-FN with MT218 can effectively detect invasive tumors of multiple cancers with risk-stratification and monitor tumor response to anticancer therapies in mouse models. Currently, MT218 is in clinical trials for precision cancer MRMI. Herein, we will show that using targeted MRI contrast agents specific to abundant TME biomarkers is a pragmatic solution for effective precision cancer imaging in high spatial resolution. And thus, we illustrate a replicable approach for CA development that is vital for cancer MRMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Wickenden Building, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Victoria Laney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Wickenden Building, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Yajuan Li
- Molecular Theranostics, 7100 Euclid Ave, Suite 152, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, United States
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Kaufmann JO, Brangsch J, Kader A, Saatz J, Mangarova DB, Zacharias M, Kempf WE, Schwaar T, Ponader M, Adams LC, Möckel J, Botnar RM, Taupitz M, Mägdefessel L, Traub H, Hamm B, Weller MG, Makowski MR. ADAMTS4-specific MR probe to assess aortic aneurysms in vivo using synthetic peptide libraries. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2867. [PMID: 35606349 PMCID: PMC9126943 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has substantially increased during the last 20 years and their rupture remains the third most common cause of sudden death in the cardiovascular field after myocardial infarction and stroke. The only established clinical parameter to assess AAAs is based on the aneurysm size. Novel biomarkers are needed to improve the assessment of the risk of rupture. ADAMTS4 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs 4) is a strongly upregulated proteoglycan cleaving enzyme in the unstable course of AAAs. In the screening of a one-bead-one-compound library against ADAMTS4, a low-molecular-weight cyclic peptide is discovered with favorable properties for in vivo molecular magnetic resonance imaging applications. After identification and characterization, it's potential is evaluated in an AAA mouse model. The ADAMTS4-specific probe enables the in vivo imaging-based prediction of aneurysm expansion and rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan O Kaufmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Brangsch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, Building 21, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Avan Kader
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica Saatz
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 Inorganic Trace Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dilyana B Mangarova
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, Building 12, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Zacharias
- Center of Functional Protein Assemblies, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Str. 9, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Kempf
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Timm Schwaar
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.0 SAFIA Technologies, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Ponader
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa C Adams
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Möckel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rene M Botnar
- King's College London, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, London, UK
- Wellcome Trust / EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
- BHF Centre of Excellence, King's College London, London, UK
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute in Intelligent Healthcare Engineering, Santiago de Chile, Campus San Joaquín - Avda.Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Macul, Santiago, Chile
- St Thomas' Hospital Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Denmark Hill Campus, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Matthias Taupitz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Mägdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Heike Traub
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 Inorganic Trace Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael G Weller
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
- King's College London, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, London, UK.
- St Thomas' Hospital Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK.
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Kiessling F, Schulz V. Perspectives of Evidence-Based Therapy Management. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2022; 194:728-736. [PMID: 35545101 DOI: 10.1055/a-1752-0839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutics that specifically address biological processes often require a much finer selection of patients and subclassification of diseases. Thus, diagnostic procedures must describe the diseases in sufficient detail to allow selection of appropriate therapy and to sensitively track therapy response. Anatomical features are often not sufficient for this purpose and there is a need to image molecular and pathophysiological processes. METHOD Two imaging strategies can be pursued: molecular imaging attempts to image a few biomarkers that play key roles in pathological processes. Alternatively, patterns describing a biological process can be identified from the synopsis of multiple (non-specific) imaging markers, possibly in combination with omics and other clinical findings. Here, AI-based methods are increasingly being used. RESULTS Both strategies of evidence-based therapy management are explained in this review article and examples and clinical successes are presented. In this context, reviews of clinically approved molecular diagnostics and decision support systems are listed. Furthermore, since reliable, representative, and sufficiently large datasets are further important prerequisites for AI-assisted multiparametric analyses, concepts are presented to make data available in a structured way, e. g., using Generative Adversarial Networks to complement databases with virtual cases and to build completely anonymous reference databases. CONCLUSION Molecular imaging and computer-assisted cluster analysis of diagnostic data are complementary methods to describe pathophysiological processes. Both methods have the potential to improve (evidence-based) the future management of therapies, partly on their own but also in combined approaches. KEY POINTS · Molecular imaging and radiomics provide valuable complementary disease biomarkers.. · Data-driven, model-based, and hybrid model-based integrated diagnostics advance precision medicine.. · Synthetic data generation may become essential in the development process of future AI methods.. CITATION FORMAT · Kiessling F, Schulz V, . Perspectives of Evidence-Based Therapy Management. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; DOI: 10.1055/a-1752-0839.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kiessling
- Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Molekulare Bildgebung, Aachen, Germany.,Group Aachen, Fraunhofer-Institut für Digitale Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Volkmar Schulz
- Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Molekulare Bildgebung, Aachen, Germany.,Group Aachen, Fraunhofer-Institut für Digitale Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
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9
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Rama E, Mohapatra SR, Melcher C, Nolte T, Dadfar SM, Brueck R, Pathak V, Rix A, Gries T, Schulz V, Lammers T, Apel C, Jockenhoevel S, Kiessling F. Monitoring the Remodeling of Biohybrid Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts by Multimodal Molecular Imaging. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105783. [PMID: 35119216 PMCID: PMC8981893 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) with the ability to grow and remodel open new perspectives for cardiovascular surgery. Equipping TEVGs with synthetic polymers and biological components provides a good compromise between high structural stability and biological adaptability. However, imaging approaches to control grafts' structural integrity, physiological function, and remodeling during the entire transition between late in vitro maturation and early in vivo engraftment are mandatory for clinical implementation. Thus, a comprehensive molecular imaging concept using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) to monitor textile scaffold resorption, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and endothelial integrity in TEVGs is presented here. Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPION) incorporated in biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers of the TEVGs allow to quantitatively monitor scaffold resorption via MRI both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, ECM formation can be depicted by molecular MRI using elastin- and collagen-targeted probes. Finally, molecular US of αv β3 integrins confirms the absence of endothelial dysfunction; the latter is provocable by TNF-α. In conclusion, the successful employment of noninvasive molecular imaging to longitudinally evaluate TEVGs remodeling is demonstrated. This approach may foster its translation from in vitro quality control assessment to in vivo applications to ensure proper prostheses engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rama
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Saurav Ranjan Mohapatra
- Department of Biohybrid & Medical TextilesInstitute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Christoph Melcher
- Institute for Textile Technology RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Teresa Nolte
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Seyed Mohammadali Dadfar
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Ramona Brueck
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Vertika Pathak
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Anne Rix
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Thomas Gries
- Institute for Textile Technology RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Volkmar Schulz
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Christian Apel
- Department of Biohybrid & Medical TextilesInstitute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Stefan Jockenhoevel
- Department of Biohybrid & Medical TextilesInstitute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH – Aachen University Forckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
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10
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Moeller MJ, Kramann R, Lammers T, Hoppe B, Latz E, Ludwig-Portugall I, Boor P, Floege J, Kurts C, Weiskirchen R, Ostendorf T. New Aspects of Kidney Fibrosis-From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:814497. [PMID: 35096904 PMCID: PMC8790098 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.814497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ fibrogenesis is characterized by a common pathophysiological final pathway independent of the underlying progressive disease of the respective organ. This makes it particularly suitable as a therapeutic target. The Transregional Collaborative Research Center “Organ Fibrosis: From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease” (referred to as SFB/TRR57) was hosted from 2009 to 2021 by the Medical Faculties of RWTH Aachen University and the University of Bonn. This consortium had the ultimate goal of discovering new common but also different fibrosis pathways in the liver and kidneys. It finally successfully identified new mechanisms and established novel therapeutic approaches to interfere with hepatic and renal fibrosis. This review covers the consortium's key kidney-related findings, where three overarching questions were addressed: (i) What are new relevant mechanisms and signaling pathways triggering renal fibrosis? (ii) What are new immunological mechanisms, cells and molecules that contribute to renal fibrosis?, and finally (iii) How can renal fibrosis be modulated?
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus J Moeller
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Heisenberg Chair for Preventive and Translational Nephrology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoppe
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Hyperoxaluria Center, Pediatric Kidney Care Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Isis Ludwig-Portugall
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tammo Ostendorf
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
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11
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Tiwari A, Elgrably B, Saar G, Vandoorne K. Multi-Scale Imaging of Vascular Pathologies in Cardiovascular Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:754369. [PMID: 35071257 PMCID: PMC8766766 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.754369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease entails systemic changes in the vasculature. The endothelial cells lining the blood vessels are crucial in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Healthy endothelial cells direct the blood flow to tissues as vasodilators and act as the systemic interface between the blood and tissues, supplying nutrients for vital organs, and regulating the smooth traffic of leukocytes into tissues. In cardiovascular diseases, when inflammation is sensed, endothelial cells adjust to the local or systemic inflammatory state. As the inflamed vasculature adjusts, changes in the endothelial cells lead to endothelial dysfunction, altered blood flow and permeability, expression of adhesion molecules, vessel wall inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenic processes, and extracellular matrix production at the endothelial cell level. Preclinical multi-scale imaging of these endothelial changes using optical, acoustic, nuclear, MRI, and multimodal techniques has progressed, due to technical advances and enhanced biological understanding on the interaction between immune and endothelial cells. While this review highlights biological processes that are related to changes in the cardiac vasculature during cardiovascular diseases, it also summarizes state-of-the-art vascular imaging techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of the different imaging techniques are highlighted, as well as their principles, methodologies, and preclinical and clinical applications with potential future directions. These multi-scale approaches of vascular imaging carry great potential to further expand our understanding of basic vascular biology, to enable early diagnosis of vascular changes and to provide sensitive diagnostic imaging techniques in the management of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Tiwari
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Betsalel Elgrably
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Galit Saar
- Biomedical Core Facility, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Katrien Vandoorne
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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12
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Liedtke C, Nevzorova YA, Luedde T, Zimmermann H, Kroy D, Strnad P, Berres ML, Bernhagen J, Tacke F, Nattermann J, Spengler U, Sauerbruch T, Wree A, Abdullah Z, Tolba RH, Trebicka J, Lammers T, Trautwein C, Weiskirchen R. Liver Fibrosis-From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:814496. [PMID: 35087852 PMCID: PMC8787129 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.814496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Transregional Collaborative Research Center "Organ Fibrosis: From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease" (referred to as SFB/TRR57) was funded for 13 years (2009-2021) by the German Research Council (DFG). This consortium was hosted by the Medical Schools of the RWTH Aachen University and Bonn University in Germany. The SFB/TRR57 implemented combined basic and clinical research to achieve detailed knowledge in three selected key questions: (i) What are the relevant mechanisms and signal pathways required for initiating organ fibrosis? (ii) Which immunological mechanisms and molecules contribute to organ fibrosis? and (iii) How can organ fibrosis be modulated, e.g., by interventional strategies including imaging and pharmacological approaches? In this review we will summarize the liver-related key findings of this consortium gained within the last 12 years on these three aspects of liver fibrogenesis. We will highlight the role of cell death and cell cycle pathways as well as nutritional and iron-related mechanisms for liver fibrosis initiation. Moreover, we will define and characterize the major immune cell compartments relevant for liver fibrogenesis, and finally point to potential signaling pathways and pharmacological targets that turned out to be suitable to develop novel approaches for improved therapy and diagnosis of liver fibrosis. In summary, this review will provide a comprehensive overview about the knowledge on liver fibrogenesis and its potential therapy gained by the SFB/TRR57 consortium within the last decade. The kidney-related research results obtained by the same consortium are highlighted in an article published back-to-back in Frontiers in Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Liedtke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yulia A. Nevzorova
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Complutense University Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tom Luedde
- Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Henning Zimmermann
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniela Kroy
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Berres
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bernhagen
- Chair of Vascular Biology, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München (KUM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Nattermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrich Spengler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tilman Sauerbruch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Wree
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - René H. Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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13
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Bhamidipati T, Kumar M, Verma SS, Mohanty SK, Kacar S, Reese D, Martinez MM, Kamocka MM, Dunn KW, Sen CK, Singh K. Epigenetic basis of diabetic vasculopathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:989844. [PMID: 36568089 PMCID: PMC9780391 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.989844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes peripheral vascular disease because of which several blood-borne factors, including vital nutrients fail to reach the affected tissue. Tissue epigenome is sensitive to chronic hyperglycemia and is known to cause pathogenesis of micro- and macrovascular complications. These vascular complications of T2DM may perpetuate the onset of organ dysfunction. The burden of diabetes is primarily because of a wide range of complications of which nonhealing diabetic ulcers represent a major component. Thus, it is imperative that current research help recognize more effective methods for the diagnosis and management of early vascular injuries. This review addresses the significance of epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and histone modifications in the evolution of macrovascular and microvascular complications of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theja Bhamidipati
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Jefferson-Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Manishekhar Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sumit S. Verma
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sujit K. Mohanty
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sedat Kacar
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Diamond Reese
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michelle M. Martinez
- Division of Nephrology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Malgorzata M. Kamocka
- Division of Nephrology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kenneth W. Dunn
- Division of Nephrology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Chandan K. Sen
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Kanhaiya Singh, ; Chandan K. Sen,
| | - Kanhaiya Singh
- Department of Surgery, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Kanhaiya Singh, ; Chandan K. Sen,
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14
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Kader A, Brangsch J, Reimann C, Kaufmann JO, Mangarova DB, Moeckel J, Adams LC, Zhao J, Saatz J, Traub H, Buchholz R, Karst U, Hamm B, Makowski MR. Visualization and Quantification of the Extracellular Matrix in Prostate Cancer Using an Elastin Specific Molecular Probe. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1217. [PMID: 34827210 PMCID: PMC8615039 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human prostate cancer (PCa) is a type of malignancy and one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men. Elastin is an important component of the extracellular matrix and is involved in the structure and organization of prostate tissue. The present study examined prostate cancer in a xenograft mouse model using an elastin-specific molecular probe for magnetic resonance molecular imaging. Two different tumor sizes (500 mm3 and 1000 mm3) were compared and analyzed by MRI in vivo and histologically and analytically ex vivo. The T1-weighted sequence was used in a clinical 3-T scanner to calculate the relative contrast enhancement before and after probe administration. Our results show that the use of an elastin-specific probe enables better discrimination between tumors and surrounding healthy tissue. Furthermore, specific binding of the probe to elastin fibers was confirmed by histological examination and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Smaller tumors showed significantly higher signal intensity (p > 0.001), which correlates with the higher proportion of elastin fibers in the histological evaluation than in larger tumors. A strong correlation was seen between relative enhancement (RE) and Elastica-van Gieson staining (R2 = 0.88). RE was related to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry data for Gd and showed a correlation (R2 = 0.78). Thus, molecular MRI could become a novel quantitative tool for the early evaluation and detection of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avan Kader
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Brangsch
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Carolin Reimann
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Jan O. Kaufmann
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
- Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-Prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dilyana B. Mangarova
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, Building 12, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Moeckel
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Lisa C. Adams
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Jessica Saatz
- Division 1.1 Inorganic Trace Analysis, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-Prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany; (J.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Heike Traub
- Division 1.1 Inorganic Trace Analysis, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-Prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany; (J.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Rebecca Buchholz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48419 Münster, Germany; (R.B.); (U.K.)
| | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48419 Münster, Germany; (R.B.); (U.K.)
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
| | - Marcus R. Makowski
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (J.B.); (C.R.); (J.O.K.); (D.B.M.); (J.M.); (L.C.A.); (J.Z.); (B.H.); (M.R.M.)
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, UK
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Capuana F, Phinikaridou A, Stefania R, Padovan S, Lavin B, Lacerda S, Almouazen E, Chevalier Y, Heinrich-Balard L, Botnar RM, Aime S, Digilio G. Imaging of Dysfunctional Elastogenesis in Atherosclerosis Using an Improved Gadolinium-Based Tetrameric MRI Probe Targeted to Tropoelastin. J Med Chem 2021; 64:15250-15261. [PMID: 34661390 PMCID: PMC8558862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunctional elastin turnover plays a major role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Failure of tropoelastin cross-linking into mature elastin leads to the accumulation of tropoelastin within the growing plaque, increasing its instability. Here we present Gd4-TESMA, an MRI contrast agent specifically designed for molecular imaging of tropoelastin within plaques. Gd4-TESMA is a tetrameric probe composed of a tropoelastin-binding peptide (the VVGS-peptide) conjugated with four Gd(III)-DOTA-monoamide chelates. It shows a relaxivity per molecule of 34.0 ± 0.8 mM-1 s-1 (20 MHz, 298 K, pH 7.2), a good binding affinity to tropoelastin (KD = 41 ± 12 μM), and a serum half-life longer than 2 h. Gd4-TESMA accumulates specifically in atherosclerotic plaques in the ApoE-/- murine model of plaque progression, with 2 h persistence of contrast enhancement. As compared to the monomeric counterpart (Gd-TESMA), the tetrameric Gd4-TESMA probe shows a clear advantage regarding both sensitivity and imaging time window, allowing for a better characterization of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Capuana
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Rachele Stefania
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Sergio Padovan
- Institute for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR) c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Sara Lacerda
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR 4301, Université d'Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, Orléans Cedex 2 45071, France
| | - Eyad Almouazen
- CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Yves Chevalier
- CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Laurence Heinrich-Balard
- INSA Lyon, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.,Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avda. Vicuña Mackenna, Santiago 4860, Chile
| | | | - Giuseppe Digilio
- Department of Science and Technologic Innovation, Università del Piemonte Orientale ″Amedeo Avogadro″, Viale T. Michel 11, Alessandria 15121, Italy
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Klinkhammer BM, Lammers T, Mottaghy FM, Kiessling F, Floege J, Boor P. Non-invasive molecular imaging of kidney diseases. Nat Rev Nephrol 2021; 17:688-703. [PMID: 34188207 PMCID: PMC7612034 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-021-00440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In nephrology, differential diagnosis or assessment of disease activity largely relies on the analysis of glomerular filtration rate, urinary sediment, proteinuria and tissue obtained through invasive kidney biopsies. However, currently available non-invasive functional parameters, and most serum and urine biomarkers, cannot capture intrarenal molecular disease processes specifically. Moreover, although histopathological analyses of kidney biopsy samples enable the visualization of pathological morphological and molecular alterations, they only provide information about a small part of the kidney and do not allow longitudinal monitoring. These limitations not only hinder understanding of the dynamics of specific disease processes in the kidney, but also limit the targeting of treatments to active phases of disease and the development of novel targeted therapies. Molecular imaging enables non-invasive and quantitative assessment of physiological or pathological processes by combining imaging technologies with specific molecular probes. Here, we discuss current preclinical and clinical molecular imaging approaches in nephrology. Non-invasive visualization of the kidneys through molecular imaging can be used to detect and longitudinally monitor disease activity and can therefore provide companion diagnostics to guide clinical trials, as well as the safe and effective use of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Targeted Therapeutics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Felix M Mottaghy
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
- Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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17
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Zhang G, Zhang S, Qin Y, Fang J, Tang X, Li L, Zhou Y, Wu D, Yan S, Liu WV, Zhu W. Differences in Wall Shear Stress Between High-Risk and Low-Risk Plaques in Patients With Moderate Carotid Artery Stenosis: A 4D Flow MRI Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:678358. [PMID: 34456667 PMCID: PMC8385133 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.678358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the difference in wall shear stress (WSS) (axial, circumferential, and 3D) between high-risk and low-risk plaques in patients with moderate carotid artery stenosis and to identify which time points and directions play the dominant roles in determining the risk associated with plaques. Forty carotid arteries in 30 patients were examined in this study. All patients underwent high-resolution vessel wall (HRVW) imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and 4D flow MRI; HRVW imaging and DWI were used to separate low- and high-risk plaque. Twenty-four high-risk plaques and 16 low-risk plaques were enrolled. An independent-sample t-test was used to compare WSS between low- and high-risk plaques in the whole cardiac cycle and at 20 different time points in the cardiac cycle. The study found that patients with high-risk plaques had higher WSS than those with low-risk plaques throughout the entire cardiac cycle (p < 0.05), but the changes varied at the 20 different time points. The number of non-significant differences (p > 0.05) was less in diastole than in systole across different time points. The axial WSS values were higher than the circumferential WSS values; the difference in axial WSS values between high- and low-risk plaques was more significant than the difference in circumferential WSS, whereas 3D WSS values best reflected the difference between high-risk and low-risk plaques because they showed significant differences at every time point. In conclusion, increased WSS, especially during the diastolic period and in the axial direction, may be a signal of a high-risk plaque and may cause cerebrovascular events in patients with moderate carotid artery stenosis. Additionally, WSS can provide hemodynamic information and help clinicians make more appropriate decisions for patients with plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiling Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qin
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jicheng Fang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangyu Tang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiran Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Su Yan
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiyin Vivian Liu
- Magnetic Resonance Research, General Electric Healthcare, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhen Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Wen X, Shi C, Yang L, Zeng X, Lin X, Huang J, Li Y, Zhuang R, Zhu H, Guo Z, Zhang X. A radioiodinated FR-β-targeted tracer with improved pharmacokinetics through modification with an albumin binder for imaging of macrophages in AS and NAFL. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:503-516. [PMID: 34155537 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05447-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The formation of advanced plaques, which is characterized by the uninterrupted aggregation of macrophages with high expression of folate receptor-β (FR-β), is observed in several concomitant metabolic syndromes. The objective of this study was to develop a novel FR-β-targeted single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracer and validate its application to the noninvasive detection of atherosclerosis (AS) plaque and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). METHODS Two radioiodinated probes, [131I]IPBF and [131I]IBF, were developed, and cell uptake studies were used to identify their specific targets for activated macrophages. Biodistribution in normal mice was performed to obtain the pharmacokinetic information of the probes. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice with atherosclerotic aortas were induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet. To investigate the affinity of radiotracers to FR-β, Kd values were determined using in vitro assays. In addition, the assessments of the aorta in the ApoE-/- mice at different stages were performed using in vivo SPECT/CT imaging, and the findings were compared by histology. RESULTS Both [131I]IPBF and [131I]IBF were synthesized with > 95% radiochemical purity and up to 3 MBq/nmol molar activity. In vitro assay of [131I]IPBF showed a moderate binding affinity to plasma proteins and specific uptake in activated macrophages. The prolonged blood elimination half-life (t1/2z) of [131I]IPBF (8.14 h) was observed in a pharmacokinetic study of normal mice, which was significantly longer than that of [131I]IBF (t1/2z = 2.95 h). As expected, the Kd values of [131I]IPBF and [131I]IBF in the Raw 264.7 cells were 43.94 ± 9.83 nM and 61.69 ± 15.19 nM, respectively. SPECT imaging with [131I]IPBF showed a high uptake in advanced plaques and NAFL. Radioactivity in excised aortas examined by ex vivo autoradiography further confirmed the specific uptake of [131I]IPBF in high-risk AS plaques. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we reported a proof-of-concept study of an albumin-binding folate derivative for macrophage imaging. The FR-β-targeted probe, [131I]IPBF, significantly prolongs the plasma elimination half-life and has the potential for the monitoring of AS plaques and concomitant fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Changrong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Liu Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Beijing, Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xinying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xiaoru Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jinxiong Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yesen Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Rongqiang Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Haibo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Beijing, Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhide Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Xianzhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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19
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Elkenhans B, Protti A, Shah A, Onthank D, Botnar R. Visualization of elastin using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging after myocardial infarction as inflammatory response. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11004. [PMID: 34040032 PMCID: PMC8155029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90092-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the merits of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an elastin-binding contrast agent after myocardial infarction in mouse models with deletions of monocyte populations. Permanent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was conducted in 10 wild-type mice and 10 each of three knockout models: CX3CR-/-, CCR2-/-, and MCP-1-/-. At 7 days and 30 days after permanent ligation, cardiac MRI was performed with a 7 T-Bruker horizontal scanner for in vivo detection of elastin with an elastin/tropoelastin-specific contrast agent (ESMA). Histology was performed with staining for elastin, collagen I and III, and F4/80. Real-time PCR was conducted to quantify the expression of genes for collagen I and III, F4/80, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Histological and ESMA-indicated elastin areas were strongly correlated (r = 0.8). 30 days after permanent ligation, CCR2-deficient mice demonstrated higher elastin levels in the scar relative to MCP-1-/- (p < 0.04) and wild-type mice (p < 0.02). The ejection fraction was lower in CCR2-deficient mice. In vivo MRI in mouse models of MI can detect elastin deposition after myocardial infarction, highlighting the pivotal role of elastin in myocardial remodeling in mouse models with deletions of monocyte populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Elkenhans
- Department of Cardiology, Pneumology, and Angiology, University Hospital Aachen, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Andrea Protti
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Imaging, Lurie Family Imaging Center, Boston, USA
| | - Ajay Shah
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - René Botnar
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
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20
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Collettini F, Reimann C, Brangsch J, Chapiro J, Savic LJ, Onthank DC, Robinson SP, Karst U, Buchholz R, Keller S, Hamm B, Goldberg SN, Makowski MR. Elastin-specific MRI of extracellular matrix-remodelling following hepatic radiofrequency-ablation in a VX2 liver tumor model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6814. [PMID: 33767303 PMCID: PMC7994448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86417-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) induces a drastic alteration of the biomechanical environment in the peritumoral liver tissue. The resulting increase in matrix stiffness has been shown to significantly influence carcinogenesis and cancer progression after focal RF ablation. To investigate the potential of an elastin-specific MR agent (ESMA) for the assessment of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the periablational rim following RFA in a VX2 rabbit liver tumor-model, twelve New-Zealand-White-rabbits were implanted in the left liver lobe with VX2 tumor chunks from donor animals. RFA of tumors was performed using a perfused RF needle-applicator with a mean tip temperature of 70 °C. Animals were randomized into four groups for MR imaging and scanned at four different time points following RFA (week 0 [baseline], week 1, week 2 and week 3 after RFA), followed by sacrifice and histopathological analysis. ESMA-enhanced MR imaging was used to assess ECM remodeling. Gadobutrol was used as a third-space control agent. Molecular MR imaging using an elastin-specific probe demonstrated a progressive increase in contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) (week 3: ESMA: 28.1 ± 6.0; gadobutrol: 3.5 ± 2.0), enabling non-invasive imaging of the peritumoral zone with high spatial-resolution, and accurate assessment of elastin deposition in the periablational rim. In vivo CNR correlated with ex vivo histomorphometry (ElasticaVanGiesson-stain, y = 1.2x - 1.8, R2 = 0.89, p < 0.05) and gadolinium concentrations at inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS, y = 0.04x + 1.2, R2 = 0.95, p < 0.05). Laser-ICP-MS confirmed colocalization of elastin-specific probe with elastic fibers. Following thermal ablation, molecular imaging using an elastin-specific MR probe is feasible and provides a quantifiable biomarker for the assessment of the ablation-induced remodeling of the ECM in the periablational rim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Collettini
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Reimann
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Brangsch
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Julius Chapiro
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Lynn Jeanette Savic
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebecca Buchholz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sarah Keller
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Nahum Goldberg
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, 9112001, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- BHF Centre of Excellence, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Radiology, TU München, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, München, Germany
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21
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Zhou IY, Montesi SB, Akam EA, Caravan P. Molecular Imaging of Fibrosis. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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22
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Abstract
Molecular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging utilizes molecular probes to provide added biochemical or cellular information to what can already be achieved with anatomical and functional MR imaging. This review provides an overview of molecular MR and focuses specifically on molecular MR contrast agents that provide contrast by shortening the T1 time. We describe the requirements for a successful molecular MR contrast agent and the challenges for clinical translation. The review highlights work from the last 5 years and places an emphasis on new contrast agents that have been validated in multiple preclinical models. Applications of molecular MR include imaging of inflammation, fibrosis, fibrogenesis, thromboembolic disease, and cancers. Molecular MR is positioned to move beyond detection of disease to the quantitative staging of disease and measurement of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Caravan
- The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, A. A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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23
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Osborn EA, Albaghdadi M, Libby P, Jaffer FA. Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00086-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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24
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Uca YO, Hallmann D, Hesse B, Seim C, Stolzenburg N, Pietsch H, Schnorr J, Taupitz M. Microdistribution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents in Atherosclerotic Plaques Determined by LA-ICP-MS and SR-μXRF Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 23:382-393. [PMID: 33289060 PMCID: PMC8099766 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-020-01563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to replace angiographic evaluation of atherosclerosis. While studies have investigated contrast agent (CA) uptake in atherosclerotic plaques, exact CA spatial distribution on a microscale is elusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microdistribution of gadolinium (Gd)- and iron (Fe) oxide-based CA in atherosclerotic plaques of New Zealand White rabbits. Procedures The study was performed as a post hoc analysis of archived tissue specimens obtained in a previous in vivo MRI study conducted to investigate signal changes induced by very small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP) and Gd-BOPTA. For analytical discrimination from endogenous Fe, VSOP were doped with europium (Eu) resulting in Eu-VSOP. Formalin-fixed arterial specimens were cut into 5-μm serial sections and analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC: Movat’s pentachrome, von Kossa, and Alcian blue (pH 1.0) staining, anti-smooth muscle cell actin (anti-SMA), and anti-rabbit macrophage (anti-RAM-11) immunostaining) and elemental microscopy with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and synchrotron radiation μX-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) spectroscopy. Elemental distribution maps of Fe, Eu, Gd, sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) were investigated. Results IHC characterized atherosclerotic plaque pathomorphology. Elemental microscopy showed S distribution to match the anatomy of arterial vessel wall layers, while P distribution corresponded well with cellular areas. LA-ICP-MS revealed Gd and Fe with a limit of detection of ~ 0.1 nmol/g and ~ 100 nmol/g, respectively. Eu-positive signal identified VSOP presence in the vessel wall and allowed the comparison of Eu-VSOP and endogenous Fe distribution in tissue sections. Extracellular matrix material correlated with Eu signal intensity, Fe concentration, and maximum Gd concentration. Eu-VSOP were confined to endothelium in early lesions but accumulated in cellular areas in advanced plaques. Gd distribution was homogeneous in healthy arteries but inhomogeneous in early and advanced plaques. SR-μXRF scans at 0.5 μm resolution revealed Gd hotspots with increased P and Ca concentrations at the intimomedial interface, and a size distribution ranging from a few micrometers to submicrometers. Conclusions Eu-VSOP and Gd have distinct spatial distributions in atherosclerotic plaques. While Eu-VSOP distribution is more cell-associated and might be used to monitor atherosclerotic plaque progression, Gd distribution indicates arterial calcification and might help in characterizing plaque vulnerability. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11307-020-01563-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Oguz Uca
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - David Hallmann
- MR and CT Contrast Media Research, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hesse
- Xploraytion GmbH, Berlin, Germany.,European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France
| | - Christian Seim
- Xploraytion GmbH, Berlin, Germany.,Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicola Stolzenburg
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Schnorr
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Taupitz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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Ezeani M, Hagemeyer CE, Lal S, Niego B. Molecular imaging of atrial myopathy: Towards early AF detection and non-invasive disease management. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2020; 32:20-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Assessment of the hepatic tumor extracellular matrix using elastin-specific molecular magnetic resonance imaging in an experimental rabbit cancer model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20785. [PMID: 33247185 PMCID: PMC7695832 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77624-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the imaging performance of an elastin-specific molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe with respect to the extracellular matrix (ECM) in an experimental hepatic cancer model. Twelve rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumors were examined using 3 T MRI 14, 21, and 28 days after tumor implantation for two subsequent days (gadobutrol, day 1; elastin-specific probe, day 2). The relative enhancement (RE) of segmented tumor regions (central and margin) and the peritumoral matrix was calculated using pre-contrast and delayed-phase T1w sequences. MRI measurements were correlated to histopathology and element-specific and spatially resolved mass spectrometry (MS). Mixed-model analysis was performed to assess the performance of the elastin-specific probe. In comparison to gadobutrol, the elastin probe showed significantly stronger RE, which was pronounced in the tumor margin (day 14–28: P ≤ 0.007). In addition, the elastin probe was superior in discriminating between tumor regions (χ2(4) = 65.87; P < 0.001). MRI-based measurements of the elastin probe significantly correlated with the ex vivo elastinstain (R = .84; P <0 .001) and absolute gadolinium concentrations (ICP-MS: R = .73, P <0 .01). LA-ICP-MS imaging confirmed the colocalization of the elastin-specific probe with elastic fibers. Elastin-specific molecular MRI is superior to non-specific gadolinium-based contrast agents in imaging the ECM of hepatic tumors and the peritumoral tissue.
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Brangsch J, Reimann C, Kaufmann JO, Adams LC, Onthank D, Thöne-Reineke C, Robinson S, Wilke M, Weller M, Buchholz R, Karst U, Botnar R, Hamm B, Makowski MR. Molecular MR-Imaging for Noninvasive Quantification of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Targeting Interleukin-1β in a Mouse Model of Aortic Aneurysm. Mol Imaging 2020; 19:1536012120961875. [PMID: 33216687 PMCID: PMC7682246 DOI: 10.1177/1536012120961875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Molecular-MRI is a promising imaging modality for the assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) represents a new therapeutic tool for AAA-treatment, since pro-inflammatory cytokines are key-mediators of inflammation. This study investigates the potential of molecular-MRI to evaluate therapeutic effects of an anti-IL-1β-therapy on AAA-formation in a mouse-model. Methods: Osmotic-minipumps were implanted in apolipoprotein-deficient-mice (N = 27). One group (Ang-II+01BSUR group, n = 9) was infused with angiotensin-II (Ang-II) for 4 weeks and received an anti-murine IL-1β-antibody (01BSUR) 3 times. One group (Ang-II-group, n = 9) was infused with Ang-II for 4 weeks but received no treatment. Control-group (n = 9) was infused with saline and received no treatment. MR-imaging was performed using an elastin-specific gadolinium-based-probe (0.2 mmol/kg). Results: Mice of the Ang-II+01BSUR-group showed a lower aortic-diameter compared to mice of the Ang-II-group and control mice (p < 0.05). Using the elastin-specific-probe, a significant decrease in elastin-destruction was observed in mice of the Ang-II+01BSUR-group. In vivo MR-measurements correlated well with histopathology (y = 0.34x-13.81, R2 = 0.84, p < 0.05), ICP-MS (y = 0.02x+2.39; R2 = 0.81, p < 0.05) and LA-ICP-MS. Immunofluorescence and western-blotting confirmed a reduced IL-1β-expression. Conclusions: Molecular-MRI enables the early visualization and quantification of the anti-inflammatory-effects of an IL-1β-inhibitor in a mouse-model of AAAs. Responders and non-responders could be identified early after the initiation of the therapy using molecular-MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brangsch
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Reimann
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Ole Kaufmann
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Christine Adams
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Onthank
- 128865Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Robinson
- 128865Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Marco Wilke
- Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Weller
- Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Rebecca Buchholz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, 9185Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, 9185Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rene Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, 4616King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Trust/EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering, 4616King's College London, United Kingdom.,BHF Centre of Excellence, 4616King's College London, Denmark Hill Campus, London, United Kingdom.,Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Richard Makowski
- Department of Radiology, 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, 4616King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,BHF Centre of Excellence, 4616King's College London, Denmark Hill Campus, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Le Fur M, Zhou IY, Catalano O, Caravan P. Toward Molecular Imaging of Intestinal Pathology. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 26:1470-1484. [PMID: 32793946 PMCID: PMC7500524 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined by a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, with intestinal fibrosis being a major complication. The etiology of IBD remains unknown, but it is thought to arise from a dysregulated and excessive immune response to gut luminal microbes triggered by genetic and environmental factors. To date, IBD has no cure, and treatments are currently directed at relieving symptoms and treating inflammation. The current diagnostic of IBD relies on endoscopy, which is invasive and does not provide information on the presence of extraluminal complications and molecular aspect of the disease. Cross-sectional imaging modalities such as computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and hybrid modalities have demonstrated high accuracy for the diagnosis of IBD and can provide both functional and morphological information when combined with the use of molecular imaging probes. This review presents the state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular imaging approaches in the field of IBD and points out future directions that could help improve our understanding of IBD pathological processes, along with the development of efficient treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Le Fur
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Iris Y Zhou
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Onofrio Catalano
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA,The Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Peter Caravan
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA,Address correspondence to: Peter Caravan, PhD, The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown 02129, MA, USA. E-mail:
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Lavin Plaza B, Phinikaridou A, Andia ME, Potter M, Lorrio S, Rashid I, Botnar RM. Sustained Focal Vascular Inflammation Accelerates Atherosclerosis in Remote Arteries. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:2159-2170. [PMID: 32673527 PMCID: PMC7447189 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has demonstrated that myocardial infarction promotes atherosclerosis progression. The impact of focal vascular inflammation on the progression and phenotype of remote atherosclerosis remains unknown. Approach and Results: We used a novel ApoE-/- knockout mouse model of sustained arterial inflammation, initiated by mechanical injury in the abdominal aorta. Using serial in vivo molecular MRI and ex vivo histology and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that focal arterial inflammation triggered by aortic injury, accelerates atherosclerosis in the remote brachiocephalic artery. The brachiocephalic artery atheroma had distinct histological features including increased plaque size, plaque permeability, necrotic core to collagen ratio, infiltration of more inflammatory monocyte subsets, and reduced collagen content. We also found that arterial inflammation following focal vascular injury evoked a prolonged systemic inflammatory response manifested as a persistent increase in serum IL-6 (interleukin 6). Finally, we demonstrate that 2 therapeutic interventions-pravastatin and minocycline-had distinct anti-inflammatory effects at the plaque and systemic level. CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time that focal arterial inflammation in response to vascular injury enhances systemic vascular inflammation, accelerates remote atheroma progression and induces plaques more inflamed, lipid-rich, and collagen-poor in the absence of ischemic myocardial injury. This inflammatory cascade is modulated by pravastatin and minocycline treatments, which have anti-inflammatory effects at both plaque and systemic levels that mitigate atheroma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Lavin Plaza
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.)
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.)
| | - Marcelo E Andia
- Radiology Department & Millennium Nucleus for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (M.E.A.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | - Myles Potter
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.)
| | - Silvia Lorrio
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.)
| | - Imran Rashid
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.).,Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (I.R.)
| | - Rene M Botnar
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (B.L.P., A.P., M.P., S.L., I.R., R.M.B.).,Escuela de Ingeniería (R.M.B.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
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30
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Evans RJ, Lavin B, Phinikaridou A, Chooi KY, Mohri Z, Wong E, Boyle JJ, Krams R, Botnar R, Long NJ. Targeted Molecular Iron Oxide Contrast Agents for Imaging Atherosclerotic Plaque. Nanotheranostics 2020; 4:184-194. [PMID: 32637296 PMCID: PMC7332796 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.44712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Overview: Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with vulnerable plaque rupture the underlying cause of many heart attacks and strokes. Much research is focused on identifying an imaging biomarker to differentiate stable and vulnerable plaque. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-ionising and non-invasive imaging modality with excellent soft tissue contrast. However, MRI has relatively low sensitivity (micromolar) for contrast agent detection compared to nuclear imaging techniques. There is also an increasing emphasis on developing MRI probes that are not based on gadolinium chelates because of increasing concerns over associated systemic toxicity and deposits1. To address the sensitivity and safety concerns of gadolinium this project focused on the development of a high relaxivity probe based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the imaging of atherosclerotic plaque with MRI. With development, this may facilitate differentiating stable and vulnerable plaque in vivo. Aim: To develop a range of MRI contrast agents based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), and test them in a murine model of advanced atherosclerosis. Methods: Nanoparticles of four core sizes were synthesised by thermal decomposition and coated with poly(maleicanhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO), poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) or alendronate, then characterised for core size, hydrodynamic size, surface potential and relaxivity. On the basis of these results, one candidate was selected for further studies. In vivo studies using 10 nm PMAO-coated SPIONs were performed in ApoE-/- mice fed a western diet and instrumented with a perivascular cuff on the left carotid artery. Control ApoE-/- mice were fed a normal chow diet and were not instrumented. Mice were scanned on a 3T MR scanner (Philips Achieva) with the novel SPION contrast agent, and an elastin-targeted gadolinium agent that was shown previously to enable visualisation of plaque burden. Histological analysis was undertaken to confirm imaging findings through staining for macrophages, CX3CL1, elastin, tropoelastin, and iron. Results: The lead SPION agent consisted of a 10 nm iron oxide core with poly(maleicanhydride-alt-1-octadecene), (-36.21 mV, r2 18.806 mmol-1/s-1). The irregular faceting of the iron oxide core resulted in high relaxivity and the PMAO provided a foundation for further functionalisation on surface -COOH groups. The properties of the contrast agent, including the negative surface charge and hydrodynamic size, were designed to maximise circulation time and evade rapid clearance through the renal system or phagocytosis. In vitro testing showed that the SPION agent was non-toxic. In vivo results show that the novel contrast agent accumulates in similar vascular regions to a gadolinium-based contrast agent (Gd-ESMA) targeted to elastin, which accumulates in plaque. There was a significant difference in SPION signal between the instrumented and the contralateral non-instrumented vessels in diseased mice (p = 0.0411, student's t-test), and between the instrumented diseased vessel and control vessels (p = 0.0043, 0.0022, student's t-test). There was no significant difference between the uptake of either contrast agent between stable and vulnerable plaques (p = 0.3225, student's t-test). Histological verification was used to identify plaques, and Berlin Blue staining confirmed the presence of nanoparticle deposits within vulnerable plaques and co-localisation with macrophages. Conclusion: This work presents a new MRI contrast agent for atherosclerosis which uses an under-explored surface ligand, demonstrating promising properties for in vivo behaviour, is still in circulation 24 hours post-injection with limited liver uptake, and shows good accumulation in a murine plaque model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon J Evans
- Department of Chemistry, MSRH Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, White City, London, W12 0BZ, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, St. Thomas's Hospital, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, St. Thomas's Hospital, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, St. Thomas's Hospital, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Kok Yean Chooi
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Zahra Mohri
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eunice Wong
- Department of Chemistry, MSRH Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, White City, London, W12 0BZ, UK.,National Heart and Lung Institute, ICTEM Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Joseph J Boyle
- National Heart and Lung Institute, ICTEM Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rob Krams
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - René Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science, St. Thomas's Hospital, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Nicholas J Long
- Department of Chemistry, MSRH Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, White City, London, W12 0BZ, UK
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Abstract
Inherited thoracic aortopathies denote a group of congenital conditions that predispose to disease of the thoracic aorta. Aortic wall weakness and abnormal aortic hemodynamic profiles predispose these patients to dilatation of the thoracic aorta, which is generally silent but can precipitate aortic dissection or rupture with devastating and often fatal consequences. Current strategies to assess the future risk of aortic dissection or rupture are based primarily on monitoring aortic diameter. However, diameter alone is a poor predictor of risk, with many patients experiencing dissection or rupture below current intervention thresholds. Developing tools that improve the risk assessment of those with aortopathy is internationally regarded as a research priority. A robust understanding of the molecular pathways that lead to aortic wall weakness is required to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could improve patient management. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the genetically determined mechanisms underlying inherited aortopathies and critically appraise the available blood biomarkers, imaging techniques, and therapeutic targets that have shown promise for improving the management of patients with these important and potentially fatal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Fletcher
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (A.J.F., M.B.J.S., D.E.N., N.L.W.)
| | - Maaz B.J. Syed
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (A.J.F., M.B.J.S., D.E.N., N.L.W.)
| | - Timothy J. Aitman
- Centre for Genomics and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (T.J.A.)
| | - David E. Newby
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (A.J.F., M.B.J.S., D.E.N., N.L.W.)
| | - Niki L. Walker
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (A.J.F., M.B.J.S., D.E.N., N.L.W.)
- Scottish Adult Congenital Heart Disease Service, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, Glasgow, United Kingdom (N.L.W.)
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32
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Sun Q, Baues M, Klinkhammer BM, Ehling J, Djudjaj S, Drude NI, Daniel C, Amann K, Kramann R, Kim H, Saez-Rodriguez J, Weiskirchen R, Onthank DC, Botnar RM, Kiessling F, Floege J, Lammers T, Boor P. Elastin imaging enables noninvasive staging and treatment monitoring of kidney fibrosis. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/486/eaat4865. [PMID: 30944168 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat4865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the common endpoint and currently the best predictor of progression of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Despite several drawbacks, biopsies remain the only available means to specifically assess the extent of renal fibrosis. Here, we show that molecular imaging of the extracellular matrix protein elastin allows for noninvasive staging and longitudinal monitoring of renal fibrosis. Elastin was hardly expressed in healthy mouse, rat, and human kidneys, whereas it was highly up-regulated in cortical, medullar, and perivascular regions in progressive CKD. Compared to a clinically relevant control contrast agent, the elastin-specific magnetic resonance imaging agent ESMA specifically detected elastin expression in multiple mouse models of renal fibrosis and also in fibrotic human kidneys. Elastin imaging allowed for repetitive and reproducible assessment of renal fibrosis, and it enabled longitudinal monitoring of therapeutic interventions, accurately capturing anti-fibrotic therapy effects. Last, in a model of reversible renal injury, elastin imaging detected ensuing fibrosis not identifiable via routine assessment of kidney function. Elastin imaging thus has the potential to become a noninvasive, specific imaging method to assess renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxue Sun
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, 315040 Ningbo, China
| | - Maike Baues
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Barbara M Klinkhammer
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Natascha I Drude
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department for Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephropathology, University Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephropathology, University Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Rene M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, 81972 Bratislava, Slovakia
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33
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Salarian M, Ibhagui OY, Yang JJ. Molecular imaging of extracellular matrix proteins with targeted probes using magnetic resonance imaging. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 12:e1622. [PMID: 32126587 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of proteins and carbohydrates that supports different biological structures and processes such as tissue development, elasticity, and preservation of organ structure. Diseases involving inflammation, fibrosis, tumor invasion, and injury are all attributed to the transition of the ECM from homeostasis to remodeling, which can significantly change the biochemical and biomechanical features of ECM components. While contrast agents have played an indispensable role in facilitating clinical diagnosis of diseases using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there is a strong need to develop novel biomarker-targeted imaging probes for in vivo visualization of biological processes and pathological alterations at a cellular and molecular level, for both early diagnosis and monitoring drug treatment. Herein, we will first review the pathological accumulation and characterization of ECM proteins recognized as important molecular features of diseases. Developments in MRI probes targeting ECM proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and elastin via conjugation of existing contrast agents to targeting moieties and their applications to various diseases, are also reviewed. We have also reviewed our progress in the development of collagen-targeted protein MRI contrast agent with significant improvement in relaxivity and metal binding specificity, and their applications in early detection of fibrosis and metastatic cancer. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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34
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Brangsch J, Reimann C, Kaufmann JO, Adams LC, Onthank DC, Thöne-Reineke C, Robinson SP, Buchholz R, Karst U, Botnar RM, Hamm B, Makowski MR. Concurrent Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Inflammatory Activity and Extracellular Matrix Degradation for the Prediction of Aneurysm Rupture. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 12:e008707. [PMID: 30871334 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.118.008707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular magnetic resonance imaging is a promising modality for the characterization of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The combination of different molecular imaging biomarkers may improve the assessment of the risk of rupture. This study investigates the feasibility of imaging inflammatory activity and extracellular matrix degradation by concurrent dual-probe molecular magnetic resonance imaging in an AAA mouse model. METHODS Osmotic minipumps with a continuous infusion of Ang II (angiotensin II; 1000 ng/[kg·min]) to induce AAAs were implanted in apolipoprotein-deficient mice (N=58). Animals were assigned to 2 groups. In group 1 (longitudinal group, n=13), imaging was performed once after 1 week with a clinical dose of a macrophage-specific iron oxide-based probe (ferumoxytol, 4 mgFe/kg, surrogate marker for inflammatory activity) and an elastin-specific gadolinium-based probe (0.2 mmol/kg, surrogate marker for extracellular matrix degradation). Animals were then monitored with death as end point. In group 2 (week-by-week-group), imaging with both probes was performed after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (n=9 per group). Both probes were evaluated in 1 magnetic resonance session. RESULTS The combined assessment of inflammatory activity and extracellular matrix degradation was the strongest predictor of AAA rupture (sensitivity 100%; specificity 89%; area under the curve, 0.99). Information from each single probe alone resulted in lower predictive accuracy. In vivo measurements for the elastin- and iron oxide-probe were in good agreement with ex vivo histopathology (Prussian blue-stain: R2=0.96, P<0.001; Elastica van Giesson stain: R2=0.79, P<0.001). Contrast-to-noise ratio measurements for the iron oxide and elastin-probe were in good agreement with inductively coupled mass spectroscopy ( R2=0.88, R2=0.75, P<0.001) and laser ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the potential of the concurrent assessment of inflammatory activity and extracellular matrix degradation by dual-probe molecular magnetic resonance imaging in an AAA mouse model. Based on the combined information from both molecular probes, the rupture of AAAs could reliably be predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brangsch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.).,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (J.B., C.R., C.T.-R.)
| | - Carolin Reimann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.).,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (J.B., C.R., C.T.-R.)
| | - Jan O Kaufmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.).,Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.5 Protein Analysis, Berlin, Germany (J.O.K.).,Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany (J.O.K.)
| | - Lisa C Adams
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.)
| | - David C Onthank
- Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA (D.C.O., S.P.R.)
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (J.B., C.R., C.T.-R.)
| | | | - Rebecca Buchholz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany (R.B., U.K.)
| | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany (R.B., U.K.)
| | - Rene M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences (R.M.B., M.R.M.), King's College London, United Kingdom.,BHF Centre of Excellence (R.M.B., M.R.M.), King's College London, United Kingdom.,Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago (R.M.B.)
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.)
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany (J.B., C.R., J.O.K., L.C.A., B.H., M.R.M.).,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences (R.M.B., M.R.M.), King's College London, United Kingdom.,BHF Centre of Excellence (R.M.B., M.R.M.), King's College London, United Kingdom
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Hajhosseiny R, Bahaei TS, Prieto C, Botnar RM. Molecular and Nonmolecular Magnetic Resonance Coronary and Carotid Imaging. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 39:569-582. [PMID: 30760017 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Over the past 2 decades, increasing research attention is converging on the early detection and monitoring of atherosclerotic plaque. Among several invasive and noninvasive imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emerging as a promising option. Advantages include its versatility, excellent soft tissue contrast for plaque characterization and lack of ionizing radiation. In this review, we will explore the recent advances in multicontrast and multiparametric imaging sequences that are bringing the aspiration of simultaneous arterial lumen, vessel wall, and plaque characterization closer to clinical feasibility. We also discuss the latest advances in molecular magnetic resonance and multimodal atherosclerosis imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Hajhosseiny
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (R.H., T.S.B., C.P., R.M.B.).,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (R.H.)
| | - Tamanna S Bahaei
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (R.H., T.S.B., C.P., R.M.B.)
| | - Claudia Prieto
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (R.H., T.S.B., C.P., R.M.B.).,Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (C.P., R.M.B.)
| | - René M Botnar
- From the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom (R.H., T.S.B., C.P., R.M.B.).,Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (C.P., R.M.B.)
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Mass Spectrometry Imaging of atherosclerosis-affine Gadofluorine following Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Sci Rep 2020; 10:79. [PMID: 31919465 PMCID: PMC6952459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been impaired by a lack of validation of the specific substrate responsible for the molecular imaging signal. We therefore aimed to investigate the additive value of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of atherosclerosis-affine Gadofluorine P for molecular MRI of atherosclerotic plaques. Atherosclerotic Ldlr−/− mice were investigated by high-field MRI (7 T) at different time points following injection of atherosclerosis-affine Gadofluorine P as well as at different stages of atherosclerosis formation (4, 8, 16 and 20 weeks of HFD). At each imaging time point mice were immediately sacrificed after imaging and aortas were excised for mass spectrometry imaging: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Imaging and Laser Ablation – Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging. Mass spectrometry imaging allowed to visualize the localization and measure the concentration of the MR imaging probe Gadofluorine P in plaque tissue ex vivo with high spatial resolution and thus adds novel and more target specific information to molecular MR imaging of atherosclerosis.
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Caroli A, Remuzzi A, Remuzzi G. Does MRI trump pathology? A new era for staging and monitoring of kidney fibrosis. Kidney Int 2019; 97:442-444. [PMID: 31902648 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Caroli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Andrea Remuzzi
- Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, Dalmine (BG), Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Dual-probe molecular MRI for the in vivo characterization of atherosclerosis in a mouse model: Simultaneous assessment of plaque inflammation and extracellular-matrix remodeling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13827. [PMID: 31554825 PMCID: PMC6761132 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50100-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular MRI is a promising in-vivo modality to detect and quantify morphological and molecular vessel-wall changes in atherosclerosis. The combination of different molecular biomarkers may improve the risk stratification of patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of simultaneous visualization and quantification of plaque-burden and inflammatory activity by dual-probe molecular MRI in a mouse-model of progressive atherosclerosis and in response-to-therapy. Homozygous apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE−/−) were fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) for up to four-months prior to MRI of the brachiocephalic-artery. To assess response-to-therapy, a statin was administered for the same duration. MR imaging was performed before and after administration of an elastin-specific gadolinium-based and a macrophage-specific iron-oxide-based probe. Following in-vivo MRI, samples were analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, inductively-coupled-mass-spectrometry and laser-inductively-coupled-mass-spectrometry. In atherosclerotic-plaques, intraplaque expression of elastic-fibers and inflammatory activity were not directly linked. While the elastin-specific probe demonstrated the highest accumulation in advanced atherosclerotic-plaques after four-months of HFD, the iron-oxide-based probe showed highest accumulation in early atherosclerotic-plaques after two-months of HFD. In-vivo measurements for the elastin and iron-oxide-probe were in good agreement with ex-vivo histopathology (Elastica-van-Giesson stain: y = 298.2 + 5.8, R2 = 0.83, p < 0.05; Perls‘ Prussian-blue-stain: y = 834.1 + 0.67, R2 = 0.88, p < 0.05). Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) measurements of the elastin probe were in good agreement with ICP-MS (y = 0.11x-11.3, R² = 0.73, p < 0.05). Late stage atherosclerotic-plaques displayed the strongest increase in both CNR and gadolinium concentration (p < 0.05). The gadolinium probe did not affect the visualization of the iron-oxide-probe and vice versa. This study demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneous assessment of plaque-burden and inflammatory activity by dual-probe molecular MRI of progressive atherosclerosis. The in-vivo detection and quantification of different MR biomarkers in a single scan could be useful to improve characterization of atherosclerotic-lesions.
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Vigne J, Thackeray J, Essers J, Makowski M, Varasteh Z, Curaj A, Karlas A, Canet-Soulas E, Mulder W, Kiessling F, Schäfers M, Botnar R, Wildgruber M, Hyafil F. Current and Emerging Preclinical Approaches for Imaging-Based Characterization of Atherosclerosis. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:869-887. [PMID: 30250990 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1264-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques can remain quiescent for years, but become life threatening upon rupture or disruption, initiating clot formation in the vessel lumen and causing acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Whether and how a plaque ruptures is determined by its macroscopic structure and microscopic composition. Rupture-prone plaques usually consist of a thin fibrous cap with few smooth muscle cells, a large lipid core, a dense infiltrate of inflammatory cells, and neovessels. Such lesions, termed high-risk plaques, can remain asymptomatic until the thrombotic event. Various imaging technologies currently allow visualization of morphological and biological characteristics of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques. Conventional protocols are often complex and lack specificity for high-risk plaque. Conversely, new imaging approaches are emerging which may overcome these limitations. Validation of these novel imaging techniques in preclinical models of atherosclerosis is essential for effective translational to clinical practice. Imaging the vessel wall, as well as its biological milieu in small animal models, is challenging because the vessel wall is a small structure that undergoes continuous movements imposed by the cardiac cycle as it is adjacent to circulating blood. The focus of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review on techniques currently available for preclinical imaging of atherosclerosis in small animal models and to discuss the advantages and limitations of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Vigne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bichat University Hospital, AP-HP; INSERM, U-1148, DHU FIRE, University Diderot, Paris, France
| | - James Thackeray
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Departments of Vascular Surgery, Molecular Genetics, Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcus Makowski
- Department of Radiology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoreh Varasteh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Adelina Curaj
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Hospital Aachen, RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Angelos Karlas
- Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Canet-Soulas
- Laboratoire CarMeN, INSERM U-1060, Lyon/Hospices Civils Lyon, IHU OPERA Cardioprotection, Université de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Willem Mulder
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Hospital Aachen, RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Schäfers
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - René Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Translational Research Imaging Center, Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Fabien Hyafil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bichat University Hospital, AP-HP; INSERM, U-1148, DHU FIRE, University Diderot, Paris, France. .,Département de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Bichat, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75018, Paris, France.
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Désogère P, Montesi SB, Caravan P. Molecular Probes for Imaging Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis. Chemistry 2019; 25:1128-1141. [PMID: 30014529 PMCID: PMC6542638 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis, or the accumulation of extracellular matrix molecules that make up scar tissue, is a common result of chronic tissue injury. Advances in the clinical management of fibrotic diseases have been hampered by the low sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive early diagnostic options, lack of surrogate end points for use in clinical trials, and a paucity of noninvasive tools to assess fibrotic disease activity longitudinally. Hence, the development of new methods to image fibrosis and fibrogenesis is a large unmet clinical need. Herein, an overview of recent and selected molecular probes for imaging of fibrosis and fibrogenesis by magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Désogère
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02128, USA
| | - Sydney B Montesi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Peter Caravan
- The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02128, USA
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Montesi SB, Désogère P, Fuchs BC, Caravan P. Molecular imaging of fibrosis: recent advances and future directions. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:24-33. [PMID: 30601139 DOI: 10.1172/jci122132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis, the progressive accumulation of connective tissue that occurs in response to injury, causes irreparable organ damage and may result in organ failure. The few available antifibrotic treatments modify the rate of fibrosis progression, but there are no available treatments to reverse established fibrosis. Thus, more effective therapies are urgently needed. Molecular imaging is a promising biomedical methodology that enables noninvasive visualization of cellular and subcellular processes. It provides a unique means to monitor and quantify dysregulated molecular fibrotic pathways in a noninvasive manner. Molecular imaging could be used for early detection, disease staging, and prognostication, as well as for assessing disease activity and treatment response. As fibrotic diseases are often molecularly heterogeneous, molecular imaging of a specific pathway could be used for patient stratification and cohort enrichment with the goal of improving clinical trial design and feasibility and increasing the ability to detect a definitive outcome for new therapies. Here we review currently available molecular imaging probes for detecting fibrosis and fibrogenesis, the active formation of new fibrous tissue, and their application to models of fibrosis across organ systems and fibrotic processes. We provide our opinion as to the potential roles of molecular imaging in human fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pauline Désogère
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and.,Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bryan C Fuchs
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter Caravan
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and.,Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides information non-invasively at cellular and molecular levels, for both early diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic follow-up. This imaging technique requires the development of a new class of contrast agents, which signal changes (typically becomes enhanced) when in presence of the cellular or molecular process to be evaluated. Even if molecular MRI has had a prominent role in the advances in medicine over the past two decades, the large majority of the developed probes to date are still in preclinical level, or eventually in phase I or II clinical trials. The development of novel imaging probes is an emergent active research domain. This review focuses on gadolinium-based specific-targeted contrast agents, providing rational design considerations and examples of the strategies recently reported in the literature.
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Yu M, Ortega CA, Si K, Molinaro R, Schoen FJ, Leitao RFC, Xu X, Mahmoudi M, Ahn S, Liu J, Saw PE, Lee IH, Brayner MMB, Lotfi A, Shi J, Libby P, Jon S, Farokhzad OC. Nanoparticles targeting extra domain B of fibronectin-specific to the atherosclerotic lesion types III, IV, and V-enhance plaque detection and cargo delivery. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:6008-6024. [PMID: 30613278 PMCID: PMC6299428 DOI: 10.7150/thno.24365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extra domain B of fibronectin (FN-EDB) is upregulated in the extracellular matrix during tissue remodeling and has been postulated as a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis, yet no systematic test for FN-EDB in plaques has been reported. We hypothesized that FN-EDB expression would intensify in advanced plaques. Furthermore, engineering of FN-EDB-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) could enable imaging/diagnosis and local delivery of payloads to plaques. Methods: The amount of FN-EDB in human atherosclerotic and normal arteries (ages: 40 to 85 years) was assessed by histological staining and quantification using an FN-EDB-specific aptide (APTFN-EDB). FN-EDB-specific NPs that could serve as MRI beacons were constructed by immobilizing APTFN-EDB on the NP surface containing DTPA[Gd]. MRI visualized APTFN-EDB-[Gd]NPs administered to atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice in the brachiocephalic arteries. Analysis of the ascending-to-descending thoracic aortas and the aortic roots of the mice permitted quantitation of Gd, FN-EDB, and APTFN-EDB-[Gd]NPs. Cyanine, a model small molecule drug, was used to study the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of APTFN-EDB-NPs to evaluate their utility for drug delivery. Results: Atherosclerotic tissues had significantly greater FN-EDB-positive areas than normal arteries (P < 0.001). This signal pertained particularly to Type III (P < 0.01), IV (P < 0.01), and V lesions (P < 0.001) rather than Type I and II lesions (AHA classification). FN-EDB expression was positively correlated with macrophage accumulation and neoangiogenesis. Quantitative analysis of T1-weighted images of atherosclerotic mice revealed substantial APTFN-EDB-[Gd]NPs accumulation in plaques compared to control NPs, conventional MRI contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) or accumulation in wild-type C57BL/6J mice. Additionally, the APTFN-EDB-NPs significantly prolonged the blood-circulation time (t1/2: ~ 6 h) of a model drug and increased its accumulation in plaques (6.9-fold higher accumulation vs. free drug). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate augmented FN-EDB expression in Type III, IV, and V atheromata and that APTFN-EDB-NPs could serve as a platform for identifying and/or delivering agents locally to a subset of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Ramos IT, Henningsson M, Nezafat M, Lavin B, Lorrio S, Gebhardt P, Protti A, Eykyn TR, Andia ME, Flögel U, Phinikaridou A, Shah AM, Botnar RM. Simultaneous Assessment of Cardiac Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2018; 11:e007453. [PMID: 30524648 PMCID: PMC6277008 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.117.007453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Optimal healing of the myocardium following myocardial infarction (MI) requires a suitable degree of inflammation and its timely resolution, together with a well-orchestrated deposition and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Methods and Results MI and SHAM-operated animals were imaged at 3,7,14 and 21 days with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 19F/1H surface coil. Mice were injected with 19F-perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanoparticles to study inflammatory cell recruitment, and with a gadolinium-based elastin-binding contrast agent (Gd-ESMA) to evaluate elastin content. 19F MRI signal co-localized with infarction areas, as confirmed by late-gadolinium enhancement, and was highest 7days post-MI, correlating with macrophage content (MAC-3 immunohistochemistry) (ρ=0.89,P<0.0001). 19F quantification with in vivo (MRI) and ex vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy correlated linearly (ρ=0.58,P=0.020). T1 mapping after Gd-ESMA injection showed increased relaxation rate (R1) in the infarcted regions and was significantly higher at 21days compared with 7days post-MI (R1[s-1]:21days=2.8 [IQR,2.69-3.30] vs 7days=2.3 [IQR,2.12-2.5], P<0.05), which agreed with an increased tropoelastin content (ρ=0.89, P<0.0001). The predictive value of each contrast agent for beneficial remodeling was evaluated in a longitudinal proof-of-principle study. Neither R1 nor 19F at day 7 were significant predictors for beneficial remodeling (P=0.68;P=0.062). However, the combination of both measurements (R1<2.34Hz and 0.55≤19F≤1.85) resulted in an odds ratio of 30.0 (CI95%:1.41-638.15;P=0.029) for favorable post-MI remodeling. Conclusions Multinuclear 1H/19F MRI allows the simultaneous assessment of inflammation and elastin remodeling in a murine MI model. The interplay of these biological processes affects cardiac outcome and may have potential for improved diagnosis and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel T Ramos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Henningsson
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maryam Nezafat
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Lorrio
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Gebhardt
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Protti
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas R Eykyn
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marcelo E Andia
- Radiology Department, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrich Flögel
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay M Shah
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Duivenvoorden
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (R.D., W.J.M.M.).,Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (R.D.)
| | - Willem J M Mulder
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (R.D., W.J.M.M.).,Department of Medical Biochemistry (W.J.M.M.), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Chemical Biology Cluster, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands (W.J.M.M.)
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46
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Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography Using a Novel Elastin-Specific Molecular Probe in an Experimental Animal Model. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2018; 2018:9217456. [PMID: 30425609 PMCID: PMC6218789 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9217456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to test the potential of a new elastin-specific molecular agent for the performance of contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), compared to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent (gadobutrol) and based on clinical MR sequences. Materials and Methods Eight C57BL/6J mice (BL6, male, aged 10 weeks) underwent a contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the aorta and its main branches. All examinations were on a clinical 3 Tesla MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The clinical dose of 0.1 mmol/kg was administered in both probes. First, a time-resolved MRA (TWIST) was acquired during the first-pass to assess the arrival and washout of the contrast agent bolus. Subsequently, a high-resolution 3D MRA sequence (3D T1 FLASH) was acquired. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for all sequences. Results The elastin-specific MR probe and the extravascular imaging agent (gadobutrol) enable high-quality MR angiograms in all animals. During the first-pass, the probes demonstrated a comparable peak enhancement (300.6 ± 32.9 vs. 288.5 ± 33.1, p > 0.05). Following the bolus phase, both agents showed a comparable intravascular enhancement (SNR: 106.7 ± 11 vs. 102.3 ± 5.3; CNR 64.5 ± 7.4 vs. 61.1 ± 7.2, p > 0.05). Both agents resulted in a high image quality with no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion The novel elastin-specific molecular probe enables the performance of first-pass and late 3D MR angiography with an intravascular contrast enhancement and image quality comparable to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent.
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47
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Phinikaridou A, Lacerda S, Lavin B, Andia ME, Smith A, Saha P, Botnar RM. Tropoelastin: A novel marker for plaque progression and instability. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2018; 11. [PMID: 30214669 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.117.007303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Elastolysis and ineffective elastogenesis favor the accumulation of tropoelastin, rather than cross-linked elastin, in atherosclerotic plaques. We developed gadolinium-labeled tropoelastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agents (Gd-TESMAs) for tropoelastin imaging in animal models. Methods and Results Two peptides, VVGSPSAQDEASPLS and YPDHVQYTHY were selected to target tropoelastin. In vitro binding, relaxivity, and biodistribution experiments enabled characterization of the probes and selecting the best candidate for in vivo MRI. MRI was performed in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice and New Zealand white rabbits with stable and rupture-prone plaques using Gd-TESMA. Additionally, human carotid endarterectomy specimens were imaged ex vivo. The VVGSPSAQDEASPLS-based probe discriminated between tropoelastin and cross-linked elastin (64±7% vs 1±2%, P=0.001), had high in vitro relaxivity in solution (r1-free=11.7±0.6mM-1s-1, r1-bound to tropoelastin = 44±1mM-1s-1) and favorable pharmacokinetics. In vivo mice vascular enhancement (4wks=0.13±0.007mm2, 8wks=0.22±0.01mm2, 12wks=0.33±0.01mm2, P<0.001) and R1 relaxation rate (4wks=0.90±0.01 s-1, 8wks=1.40±0.03 s-1, 12wks=1.87±0.04s-1, P<0.001) increased with atherosclerosis progression after Gd-TESMA injection. Conversely, statin-treated (0.13±0.01mm2, R1 =1.37±0.03s-1) and control (0.10±0.005mm2, R1 =0.87±0.05s-1) mice showed less enhancement. Rupture-prone rabbit plaques had higher R1 relaxation rate compared with stale plaques (R1=2.26±0.1s-1vs R1=1.43±0.02s-1, P=0.001), after administration of Gd-TESMA that allowed detection of rupture-prone plaques with high sensitivity (84.4%) and specificity (92.3%). Increased vascular R1 relaxation rate was observed in carotid endarterectomy plaques after soaking (R1pre= 1.1±0.26 s-1 vs R1post= 3.0±0.1s-1, P=0.01). Ex vivo analyses confirmed the MRI findings and showed uptake of the contrast agent to be specific for tropoelastin. Conclusions MRI of tropoelastin provides a novel biomarker for atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkystis Phinikaridou
- School of Biomedical Engineering Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,BHF Centre of Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sara Lacerda
- School of Biomedical Engineering Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,BHF Centre of Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,BHF Centre of Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marcelo E Andia
- School of Biomedical Engineering Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Radiology Department, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto Smith
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Prakash Saha
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,BHF Centre of Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK.,Wellcome Trust and EPSRC Medical Engineering Center, King's College London, UK.,Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Santiago, Chile
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Teo JC, Foin N, Otsuka F, Bulluck H, Fam JM, Wong P, Low FH, Leo HL, Mari JM, Joner M, Girard MJA, Virmani R. Optimization of coronary optical coherence tomography imaging using the attenuation-compensated technique: a validation study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2018; 18:880-887. [PMID: 27469587 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jew153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To optimize conventional coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) images using the attenuation-compensated technique to improve identification of plaques and the external elastic lamina (EEL) contour. Methods and Results The attenuation-compensated technique was optimized via manipulating contrast exponent C, and compression exponent N, to achieve an optimal contrast and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This was applied to 60 human coronary lesions (38 native and 22 stented) ex vivo conventional coronary OCT images acquired from heart autopsies of 10 patients and matching histology was available as reference. Three independent reviewers assessed the conventional and attenuation-compensated OCT images blindly for plaque characteristics and EEL detection. Conventional OCT and compensated OCT assessment were compared against histology. Using an optimized algorithm, the attenuation-compensated OCT images had a 2-fold improvement in contrast between different tissues in both stented and non-stented epicardial coronaries (P < 0.05). Overall sensitivity and specificity for plaque classification increased from 84 to 89% and from 92 to 94%, respectively, with substantial agreement among the three reviewers (Fleiss' Kappa k, 0.72 and 0.71, respectively). Furthermore, operators were 2.5 times more likely to identify the EEL contour in the attenuation-compensated OCT images (k = 0.72) than in the conventional OCT images (k = 0.36). Conclusion The attenuation-compensated technique can be retrospectively applied to conventional OCT images and improves the detection of plaque characteristics and the EEL contour. This approach could complement conventional OCT imaging in the evaluation of plaque characteristics and quantify plaque burden in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chun Teo
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169609.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Duke-NUS Medical School, National University Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicolas Foin
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169609.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Duke-NUS Medical School, National University Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fumiyuki Otsuka
- CV Path Institute, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.,National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Heerajnarain Bulluck
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169609.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Duke-NUS Medical School, National University Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jiang Ming Fam
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169609
| | - Philip Wong
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169609
| | - Fatt Hoe Low
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Center, Singapore
| | - Hwa Liang Leo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Duke-NUS Medical School, National University Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Michael J A Girard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Duke-NUS Medical School, National University Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
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Botnar RM, Brangsch J, Reimann C, Janssen CHP, Razavi R, Hamm B, Makowski MR. In Vivo Molecular Characterization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Fibrin-Specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:e007909. [PMID: 29848500 PMCID: PMC6015382 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.007909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) will significantly increase during the next decade. Novel biomarkers, besides diameter, are needed for a better characterization of aneurysms and the estimation of the risk of rupture. Fibrin is a key protein in the formation of focal hematoma associated with the dissection of the aortic wall and the development of larger thrombi during the progression of AAAs. This study evaluated the potential of a fibrin-specific magnetic resonance (MR) probe for the in vivo characterization of the different stages of AAAs. METHODS AND RESULTS AAAs spontaneously developed in ApoE-/- mice following the infusion of angiotensin-II (Ang-II, 1 μg/kg-1·per minute). An established fibrin-specific molecular MR probe (EP2104R, 10 μmol/kg-1) was administered after 1 to 4 weeks following Ang-II infusion (n=8 per group). All imaging experiments were performed on a clinical 3T Achieva MR system with a microscopy coil (Philips Healthcare, Netherlands). The development of AAA-associated fibrin-rich hematoma and thrombi was assessed. The high signal generated by the fibrin probe enabled high-resolution MR imaging for an accurate assessment and quantification of the relative fibrin composition of focal hematoma and thrombi. Contrast-to-noise-ratios (CNRs) and R1-relaxation rates following the administration of the fibrin probe were in good agreement with ex vivo immunohistomorphometry (R2=0.83 and 0.85) and gadolinium concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (R2=0.78 and 0.72). CONCLUSIONS The fibrin-specific molecular MR probe allowed the delineation and quantification of changes in fibrin content in early and advanced AAAs. Fibrin MRI could provide a novel in vivo biomarker to improve the risk stratification of patients with aortic aneurysms.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibrin/metabolism
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Molecular Imaging/methods
- Predictive Value of Tests
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Affiliation(s)
- René M Botnar
- Division of Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- BHF Centre of Excellence, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust and EPSRC Medical Engineering Center, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Reza Razavi
- Division of Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- BHF Centre of Excellence, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust and EPSRC Medical Engineering Center, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Charite, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Division of Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiology, Charite, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
MRI contrast is often enhanced using a contrast agent. Gd3+-complexes are the most widely used metallic MRI agents, and several types of Gd3+-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been developed. Furthermore, recent advances in MRI technology have, in part, been driven by the development of new GBCAs. However, when designing new functional GBCAs in a small-molecular-weight or nanoparticle form for possible clinical applications, their functions are often compromised by poor pharmacokinetics and possible toxicity. Although great progress must be made in overcoming these limitations and many challenges remain, new functional GBCAs with either small-molecular-weight or nanoparticle forms offer an exciting opportunity for use in precision medicine.
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