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Sekita A, Unterweger H, Berg S, Ohlmeyer S, Bäuerle T, Zheng KH, Coolen BF, Nederveen AJ, Cabella C, Rossi S, Stroes ESG, Alexiou C, Lyer S, Cicha I. Accumulation of Iron Oxide-Based Contrast Agents in Rabbit Atherosclerotic Plaques in Relation to Plaque Age and Vulnerability Features. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:1645-1666. [PMID: 38406599 PMCID: PMC10893894 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s430693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In this study, a detailed characterization of a rabbit model of atherosclerosis was performed to assess the optimal time frame for evaluating plaque vulnerability using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods The progression of atherosclerosis induced by ballooning and a high-cholesterol diet was monitored using angiography, and the resulting plaques were characterized using immunohistochemistry and histology. Morphometric analyses were performed to evaluate plaque size and vulnerability features. The accumulation of SPIONs (novel dextran-coated SPIONDex and ferumoxytol) in atherosclerotic plaques was investigated by histology and MRI and correlated with plaque age and vulnerability. Toxicity of SPIONDex was evaluated in rats. Results Weak positive correlations were detected between plaque age and intima thickness, and total macrophage load. A strong negative correlation was observed between the minimum fibrous cap thickness and plaque age as well as the mean macrophage load. The accumulation of SPION in the atherosclerotic plaques was detected by MRI 24 h after administration and was subsequently confirmed by Prussian blue staining of histological specimens. Positive correlations between Prussian blue signal in atherosclerotic plaques, plaque age, and macrophage load were detected. Very little iron was observed in the histological sections of the heart and kidney, whereas strong staining of SPIONDex and ferumoxytol was detected in the spleen and liver. In contrast to ferumoxytol, SPIONDex administration in rabbits was well tolerated without inducing hypersensitivity. The maximum tolerated dose in rat model was higher than 100 mg Fe/kg. Conclusion Older atherosclerotic plaques with vulnerable features in rabbits are a useful tool for investigating iron oxide-based contrast agents for MRI. Based on the experimental data, SPIONDex particles constitute a promising candidate for further clinical translation as a safe formulation that offers the possibility of repeated administration free from the risks associated with other types of magnetic contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Sekita
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Unterweger
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Berg
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabine Ohlmeyer
- Institute of Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Bäuerle
- Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen (PIPE), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kang H Zheng
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bram F Coolen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aart J Nederveen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Claudia Cabella
- Bracco Imaging SpA, Centro Ricerche Bracco, Colleretto Giacosa, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Bracco Imaging SpA, Centro Ricerche Bracco, Colleretto Giacosa, Turin, Italy
| | - Erik S G Stroes
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christoph Alexiou
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Lyer
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Iwona Cicha
- ENT-Department, Section of Experimental Oncology Und Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung-Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Nadel J, Wang X, Saha P, Bongers A, Tumanov S, Giannotti N, Chen W, Vigder N, Chowdhury MM, da Cruz GL, Velasco C, Prieto C, Jabbour A, Botnar RM, Stocker R, Phinikaridou A. Molecular magnetic resonance imaging of myeloperoxidase activity identifies culprit lesions and predicts future atherothrombosis. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. IMAGING METHODS AND PRACTICE 2024; 2:qyae004. [PMID: 38370393 PMCID: PMC10870993 DOI: 10.1093/ehjimp/qyae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Aims Unstable atherosclerotic plaques have increased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO). We examined whether molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of intraplaque MPO activity predicts future atherothrombosis in rabbits and correlates with ruptured human atheroma. Methods and results Plaque MPO activity was assessed in vivo in rabbits (n = 12) using the MPO-gadolinium (Gd) probe at 8 and 12 weeks after induction of atherosclerosis and before pharmacological triggering of atherothrombosis. Excised plaques were used to confirm MPO activity by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) and to determine MPO distribution by histology. MPO activity was higher in plaques that caused post-trigger atherothrombosis than plaques that did not. Among the in vivo MRI metrics, the plaques' R1 relaxation rate after administration of MPO-Gd was the best predictor of atherothrombosis. MPO activity measured in human carotid endarterectomy specimens (n = 30) by MPO-Gd-enhanced MRI was correlated with in vivo patient MRI and histological plaque phenotyping, as well as LC-MSMS. MPO-Gd retention measured as the change in R1 relaxation from baseline was significantly greater in histologic and MRI-graded American Heart Association (AHA) type VI than type III-V plaques. This association was confirmed by comparing AHA grade to MPO activity determined by LC-MSMS. Conclusion We show that elevated intraplaque MPO activity detected by molecular MRI employing MPO-Gd predicts future atherothrombosis in a rabbit model and detects ruptured human atheroma, strengthening the translational potential of this approach to prospectively detect high-risk atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Nadel
- Heart Research Institute, Arterial Inflammation and Redox Biology Group, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Prakash Saha
- Academic Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - André Bongers
- Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sergey Tumanov
- Heart Research Institute, Arterial Inflammation and Redox Biology Group, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola Giannotti
- Medical Imaging Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Weiyu Chen
- Heart Research Institute, Arterial Inflammation and Redox Biology Group, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - Niv Vigder
- Heart Research Institute, Arterial Inflammation and Redox Biology Group, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
| | | | | | - Carlos Velasco
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Claudia Prieto
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrew Jabbour
- Department of Cardiology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Santiago, Chile
- King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, London, UK
| | - Roland Stocker
- Heart Research Institute, Arterial Inflammation and Redox Biology Group, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence, London, UK
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Szekeres R, Priksz D, Kiss R, Romanescu DD, Bombicz M, Varga B, Gesztelyi R, Szilagyi A, Takacs B, Tarjanyi V, Pelles-Tasko B, Forgacs I, Remenyik J, Szilvassy Z, Juhasz B. Therapeutic Aspects of Prunus cerasus Extract in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis-Associated Diastolic Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13253. [PMID: 37686067 PMCID: PMC10488229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713253] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the potential therapeutic effects of anthocyanin-rich Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) extract (PCE) on atherosclerosis-associated cardiac dysfunction, described by the impairment of the NO-PKG (nitric oxide-protein kinase G) pathway and the antioxidant capacity. Initially, a rabbit model of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was established by administering a cholesterol-rich diet, enabling the examination of the impact of 9 g/kg PCE on the pre-existing compromised cardiovascular condition. After that, the animals were divided into four groups for 12 weeks: the (1) untreated control group; (2) PCE-administered healthy rabbits; (3) hypercholesterolemic (HC) group kept on an atherogenic diet; and (4) PCE-treated HC group. Dyslipidemia, impaired endothelial function, and signs of diastolic dysfunction were evident in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, accompanied by a reduced cardiac expression of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), PKG, and SERCA2a (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a). Subsequent PCE treatment improved the lipid profile and the cardiac function. Additionally, PCE administration was associated with elevated myocardial levels of eNOS, PKG, and SERCA2a, while no significant changes in the vascular status were observed. Western blot analysis further revealed hypercholesterolemia-induced increase and PCE-associated reduction in heme oxygenase-1 expression. The observed effects of anthocyanins indicate their potential as a valuable addition to the treatment regimen for atherosclerosis-associated cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reka Szekeres
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Daniel Priksz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Rita Kiss
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Dana Diana Romanescu
- Department of Diabetology, Pelican Clinical Hospital, 410087 Oradea, Romania;
- Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Mariann Bombicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Balazs Varga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Rudolf Gesztelyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Anna Szilagyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Barbara Takacs
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Vera Tarjanyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Beata Pelles-Tasko
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Ildiko Forgacs
- Center for Complex Systems and Microbiome Innovations, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (I.F.); (J.R.)
| | - Judit Remenyik
- Center for Complex Systems and Microbiome Innovations, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (I.F.); (J.R.)
| | - Zoltan Szilvassy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
| | - Bela Juhasz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (R.S.); (D.P.); (R.K.); (M.B.); (B.V.); (R.G.); (A.S.); (B.T.); (V.T.); (B.P.-T.); (Z.S.)
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4
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Zabriskie MS, Cooke DL, Wang C, Alexander MD. Spatially resolved transcriptomics for evaluation of intracranial vessels in a rabbit model: Proof of concept. Interv Neuroradiol 2023; 29:307-314. [PMID: 35306920 PMCID: PMC10369109 DOI: 10.1177/15910199221088691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better understanding of vessel biology and vascular pathophysiology is needed to improve understanding of cerebrovascular disorders. Tissue from diseased vessels can offer the best data. Rabbit models can be effective for studying intracranial vessels, filling gaps resulting from difficulties acquiring human tissue. Spatially-resolved transcriptomics (SRT) in particular hold promise for studying such models as they build on RNA sequencing methods, augmenting such data with histopathology. METHODS Rabbit brains with intact arteries were flash frozen, cryosectioned, and stained with H&E to confirm adequate inclusion of intracranial vessels before proceeding with tissue optimization and gene expression analysis using the Visium SRT platform. SRT results were analyzed with k-means clustering analysis, and differential gene expression was examined, comparing arteries to veins. RESULTS Cryosections were successfully mounted on Visium proprietary slides. Quality control thresholds were met. Optimum permeabilization was determined to be 24 min for the tissue optimization step. In analysis of SRT data, k-means clustering distinguished vascular tissue from parenchyma. When comparing gene expression traits, the most differentially expressed genes were those found in smooth muscle cells. These genes were more commonly expressed in arteries compared to veins. CONCLUSIONS Intracranial vessels from model rabbits can be processed and analyzed with the Visium SRT platform. Face validity is found in the ability of SRT data to distinguish vessels from parenchymal tissue and differential expression analysis accurately distinguishing arteries from veins. SRT should be considered for future animal model investigations into cerebrovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Zabriskie
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Daniel L. Cooke
- Department of Neurology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chuanzhuo Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Matthew D. Alexander
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Taylor EN, Huang N, Lin S, Mortazavi F, Wedeen VJ, Siamwala JH, Gilbert RJ, Hamilton JA. Lipid and smooth muscle architectural pathology in the rabbit atherosclerotic vessel wall using Q-space cardiovascular magnetic resonance. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2022; 24:74. [PMID: 36544161 PMCID: PMC9773609 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-022-00897-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is an arterial vessel wall disease characterized by slow, progressive lipid accumulation, smooth muscle disorganization, and inflammatory infiltration. Atherosclerosis often remains subclinical until extensive inflammatory injury promotes vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque to rupture with luminal thrombosis, which can cause the acute event of myocardial infarction or stroke. Current bioimaging techniques are unable to capture the pathognomonic distribution of cellular elements of the plaque and thus cannot accurately define its structural disorganization. METHODS We applied cardiovascular magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CMRS) and diffusion weighted CMR (DWI) with generalized Q-space imaging (GQI) analysis to architecturally define features of atheroma and correlated these to the microscopic distribution of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers, thrombus, and cholesteryl esters (CE). We compared rabbits with normal chow diet and cholesterol-fed rabbits with endothelial balloon injury, which accelerates atherosclerosis and produces advanced rupture-prone plaques, in a well-validated rabbit model of human atherosclerosis. RESULTS Our methods revealed new structural properties of advanced atherosclerosis incorporating SMC and lipid distributions. GQI with tractography portrayed the locations of these components across the atherosclerotic vessel wall and differentiated multi-level organization of normal, pro-inflammatory cellular phenotypes, or thrombus. Moreover, the locations of CE were differentiated from cellular constituents by their higher restrictive diffusion properties, which permitted chemical confirmation of CE by high field voxel-guided CMRS. CONCLUSIONS GQI with tractography is a new method for atherosclerosis imaging that defines a pathological architectural signature for the atheromatous plaque composed of distributed SMC, ECM, inflammatory cells, and thrombus and lipid. This provides a detailed transmural map of normal and inflamed vessel walls in the setting of atherosclerosis that has not been previously achieved using traditional CMR techniques. Although this is an ex-vivo study, detection of micro and mesoscale level vascular destabilization as enabled by GQI with tractography could increase the accuracy of diagnosis and assessment of treatment outcomes in individuals with atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik N Taylor
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, UNM School of Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nasi Huang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sunni Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Farzad Mortazavi
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Van J Wedeen
- AA Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jamila H Siamwala
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Richard J Gilbert
- Research Service, Providence VA Medical Center and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - James A Hamilton
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Boumegouas M, Raju M, Gardiner J, Hammer N, Saleh Y, Al-Abcha A, Kalra A, Abela GS. Interaction between bacteria and cholesterol crystals: Implications for endocarditis and atherosclerosis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263847. [PMID: 35180238 PMCID: PMC8856546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The interaction between pathogenic bacteria and cholesterol crystals (CCs) has not been investigated. However, CCs are found extensively in atherosclerotic plaques and sclerotic cardiac valves. Interactions between pathogenic bacteria and CCs could provide insights into destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and bacterial adhesion to cardiac valves.
Methods
Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to assess in vitro bacterial adhesion to CCs and proliferation in the presence of CCs compared to plastic microspheres and glass shards as controls. Ex vivo studies evaluated bacterial adhesion to atherosclerotic rabbit arteries compared to normal arteries and human atherosclerotic carotid plaques compared to normal carotid arteries. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize bacterial adhesion to CCs and confocal microscopy was used to detect cholesterol binding to bacteria grown in the presence or absence of CCs.
Results
In vitro, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa displayed significantly greater adhesion, 36% (p<0.0001) and 89% (p<0.0001), respectively, and growth upon exposure to CCs compared to microspheres or glass shards. Rabbit and human atherosclerotic arteries contained significantly greater bacterial burdens compared to controls (4× (p<0.0004); 3× (p<0.019), respectively. SEM demonstrated that bacteria adhered and appeared to degrade CCs. Consistent with this, confocal microscopy indicated increased cholesterol bound to the bacterial cells.
Conclusions
This study is the first to demonstrate an interaction between bacteria and CCs showing that bacteria dissolve and bind to CCs. This interaction helps to elucidate adhesion of bacteria to sclerotic valves and atherosclerotic plaques that may contribute to endocarditis and plaque destabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Boumegouas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Manjunath Raju
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Joseph Gardiner
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Neal Hammer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yehia Saleh
- Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Abdullah Al-Abcha
- Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Apoorv Kalra
- Metro Infectious Disease Consultants, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - George S. Abela
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Division of Pathology, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Zabriskie MS, Wang C, Wang S, Alexander MD. Apolipoprotein E knockout rabbit model of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Animal Model Exp Med 2020; 3:208-213. [PMID: 32613180 PMCID: PMC7323697 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. Poor understanding of the disease due to limited human data leads to imprecise treatment. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-KO) rabbits were compared to an existing model, the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit, and wild-type New Zealand white (NZW) rabbit controls. Intracranial artery samples were assessed on histopathology for the presence of ICAD. Logistic and ordinal regression analyses were performed to assess for disease presence and severity, respectively. Eighteen rabbits and 54 artery segments were analyzed. Univariate logistic analysis confirmed the presence of ICAD in model rabbits (P < .001), while no difference was found between WHHL and ApoE-KO rabbits (P = .178). In multivariate analysis, only classification as a model vs wild-type animal (P < .001) was associated with the presence of ICAD. Univariate ordinal regression analysis demonstrated an association between ICAD severity and model animals (P = .001), with no difference was noted between WHHL and ApoE-KO rabbits (P = .528). In multivariate ordinal regression analysis, only classification as a model retained significance (P < .001). ICAD can be reliably produced in ApoE-KO rabbits, developing the disease comparably to the older WHHL model. Further analysis is warranted to optimize accelerated development of ICAD in ApoE-KO rabbits to more efficiently study this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Zabriskie
- Department of Radiology and Imaging SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Chuanzhuo Wang
- Department of RadiologyShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Shuping Wang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Matthew D. Alexander
- Department of Radiology and Imaging SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
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Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α attenuates high-cholesterol diet-induced toxicity and pro-thrombotic effects in mice. Arch Toxicol 2018; 93:149-161. [PMID: 30341732 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is involved in the regulation of fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism. A high-cholesterol (HC) diet increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, it is unclear whether the toxic effects of cholesterol involve changes in thrombotic factor expression, and whether PPARα is necessary for such effects. To investigate this possibility, we fed a HC diet to wild-type (WT) and Ppara-null mice and measured cholesterol and triglyceride contents, liver histology, serum/plasma levels of coagulation factors, hepatic expression of the coagulation factors, liver/serum sulfatide levels, hepatic sulfatide metabolism, hepatic expression of lipid transporters, and hepatic oxidative stress and its relating enzymes. In Ppara-null mice, the HC diet caused triglyceride accumulation and exacerbated inflammation and oxidative stress in liver, increased levels of coagulation factors, including tissue factor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and carboxypeptidase B2 in blood and liver, and decreased levels of anti-thrombotic sulfatides in serum and liver. These changes were much less marked in WT mice. These findings imply that cholesterol overload exerts its toxic effects at least in part by enhancing thrombosis, secondary to abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, we reveal for the first time that PPARα can attenuate these toxic effects by transcriptional regulation of coagulation factors and sulfatides, in addition to its known effects of controlling lipid homeostasis and suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. Therapies aimed at activating PPARα might prevent HC diet-induced CVD through modulating various pro- and anti-thrombotic factors.
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9
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Bucerius J, Dijkgraaf I, Mottaghy FM, Schurgers LJ. Target identification for the diagnosis and intervention of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques beyond 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging: promising tracers on the horizon. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2018; 46:251-265. [PMID: 30302506 PMCID: PMC6267660 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-018-4176-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerotic lesions obstruct blood flow in the arterial vessel wall and can rupture leading to the formation of occlusive thrombi. Conventional diagnostic tools are still of limited value for identifying the vulnerable arterial plaque and for predicting its risk of rupture and of releasing thromboembolic material. Knowledge of the molecular and biological processes implicated in the process of atherosclerosis will advance the development of imaging probes to differentiate the vulnerable plaque. The development of imaging probes with high sensitivity and specificity in identifying high-risk atherosclerotic vessel wall changes and plaques is crucial for improving knowledge-based decisions and tailored individual interventions. Arterial PET imaging with 18F-FDG has shown promising results in identifying inflammatory vessel wall changes in numerous studies and clinical trials. However, due to its limited specificity in general and its intense physiological uptake in the left ventricular myocardium that impair imaging of the coronary arteries, different PET tracers for the molecular imaging of atherosclerosis have been evaluated. This review describes biological, chemical and medical expertise supporting a translational approach that will enable the development of new or the evaluation of existing PET tracers for the identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques for better risk prediction and benefit to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bucerius
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Felix M Mottaghy
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leon J Schurgers
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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10
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Conway C, Desany GJ, Bailey LR, Keating JH, Baker BL, Edelman ER. Fracture in drug-eluting stents increases focal intimal hyperplasia in the atherosclerosed rabbit iliac artery. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2018; 93:278-285. [PMID: 30244502 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.27726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Drug-eluting stent (DES) strut fracture (SF) is associated with higher incidence of In-stent restenosis (ISR)-return of blockage in a diseased artery post stenting-than seen with bare metal stents (BMS). We hypothesize that concomitance of drug and SF leads to greater neointimal response. BACKGROUND Controlled release of therapeutic agents, such as sirolimus and its analogs, or paclitaxel from has reduced tissue based DES failure modes compared to BMS. ISR is dramatically reduced and yet the implications of mechanical device failure is magnified. METHODS Bilateral Xience Everolimus-eluting stents (EES) were implanted in 20 New Zealand White rabbits on normal (n = 7) or high fat (HF)/high cholesterol (HC) (n = 13) diets. Implanted stents were intact or mechanically fractured. Everolimus concentration was as packaged or pre-eluted. After 21 days, stented vessels were explanted, resin embedded, MicroCT scanned, and analyzed histomorphometrically. RESULTS Fractured EES were associated with significant (P < 0.05) increases in arterial stenosis and neointimal formation and lower lumen-to-artery area ratios compared to intact EES. Hyperlipidemic animals receiving pre-eluted EES revealed no significant difference between intact and fracture groups. CONCLUSIONS SF increases intimal hyperplasia, post EES implant, and worse with more advanced disease. Pre-eluted groups, reflective of BMS, did not show significant differences, suggesting a synergistic effect of everolimus and mechanical injury, potentially explaining the lack of SF reports for BMS. Here, we report that ISR has a higher incidence with SF in EES, the clinical implication is that patients with SF after DES implantation merit careful follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Conway
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Gerard J Desany
- Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center, US Food and Drug Administration, Winchester, Massachusetts
| | - Lynn R Bailey
- Concord Biomedical Sciences and Emerging Technologies, Lexington, Massachusetts
| | - John H Keating
- Concord Biomedical Sciences and Emerging Technologies, Lexington, Massachusetts
| | - Brian L Baker
- Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center, US Food and Drug Administration, Winchester, Massachusetts
| | - Elazer R Edelman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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11
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Taylor E, Huang N, Bodde J, Ellison A, Killiany R, Bachschmid MM, Hamilton J. MRI of atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease in cholesterol fed rabbits. J Transl Med 2018; 16:215. [PMID: 30068362 PMCID: PMC6071403 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The globally rising obesity epidemic is associated with a broad spectrum of diseases including atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease. In the past, research focused on the vasculature or liver, but chronic systemic effects and inter-organ communication may promote the development of NAFL. Here, we investigated the impact of confined vascular endothelial injury, which produces highly inflamed aortic plaques that are susceptible to rupture, on the progression of NAFL in cholesterol fed rabbits. Methods Aortic atherosclerotic inflammation (plaque Gd-enhancement), plaque size (vessel wall area), and composition, were measured with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rabbits fed normal chow or a 1% cholesterol-enriched atherogenic diet. Liver fat was quantified with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) over 3 months. Blood biomarkers were monitored in the animals, with follow-up by histology. Results Cholesterol-fed rabbits with and without injury developed hypercholesterolemia, NAFL, and atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta. Compared with rabbits fed cholesterol diet alone, rabbits with injury and cholesterol diets exhibited larger, and more highly inflamed plaques by MRI (P < 0.05) and aggravated liver steatosis by MRS (P < 0.05). Moreover, after sacrifice, damaged (ballooning) hepatocytes and extensive liver fibrosis were observed by histology. Elevated plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT; P = 0.014) and the ratio of liver enzymes aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST/ALT; P = 0.033) indicated the progression of steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Conclusions Localized regions of highly inflamed aortic atherosclerotic plaques in cholesterol-fed rabbits may contribute to progression of fatty liver disease to NASH with fibrosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-018-1587-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Taylor
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W302, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA
| | - Nasi Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W302, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA
| | - Jacob Bodde
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W302, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA
| | - Andrew Ellison
- Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ronald Killiany
- Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Markus Michael Bachschmid
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, and Cardiovascular Proteomics Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Hamilton
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W302, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA.
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12
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Nasr SH, Tonson A, El-Dakdouki MH, Zhu DC, Agnew D, Wiseman R, Qian C, Huang X. Effects of Nanoprobe Morphology on Cellular Binding and Inflammatory Responses: Hyaluronan-Conjugated Magnetic Nanoworms for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaques. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:11495-11507. [PMID: 29558108 PMCID: PMC5995107 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b19708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of arterial walls and the rupturing of atherosclerotic plaques is a major cause of heart attack and stroke. Imaging techniques that can enable the detection of atherosclerotic plaques before clinical manifestation are urgently needed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful technique to image the morphology of atherosclerotic plaques. In order to better analyze molecular processes in plaques, contrast agents that can selectively bind to plaque receptors will prove invaluable. CD44 is a cell surface protein overexpressed in plaque tissues, the level of which can be correlated with the risks of plaque rupture. Thus, targeting CD44 is an attractive strategy for detection of atherosclerotic plaques. Herein, we report the synthesis of hyaluronan-conjugated iron oxide nanoworms (HA-NWs). A new purification and gel electrophoresis protocol was developed to ensure the complete removal of free HA from HA-NWs. Compared to the more traditional spherical HA-bearing nanoparticles, HA-NWs had an elongated shape, which interacted much stronger with CD44-expressing cells in CD44- and HA-dependent manners. Furthermore, the HA-NWs did not induce much inflammatory response compared to the spherical HA nanoparticles. When assessed in vivo, HA-NWs enabled successful imaging of atherosclerotic plaques in a clinically relevant model of ApoE knockout transgenic mice for noninvasive plaque detection by MRI. Thus, nanoprobe shape engineering can be a useful strategy to significantly enhance their desired biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Tonson
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Mohammad H. El-Dakdouki
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh 11072809, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - David C. Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Dalen Agnew
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Robert Wiseman
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Chunqi Qian
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Xuefei Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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13
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Hamilton JA, Hasturk H, Kantarci A, Serhan CN, Van Dyke T. Atherosclerosis, Periodontal Disease, and Treatment with Resolvins. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2017; 19:57. [PMID: 29110146 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-017-0696-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to discuss the existing evidence on the link between atherosclerosis and periodontitis by particularly presenting new findings that link the pathology and therapy of these diseases. Acute vascular ischemic events that can lead to stroke or myocardial infarction are initiated by inflammatory processes leading to rupture or erosion of plaques susceptible to thrombosis ("high risk" or "vulnerable"). These are highly inflamed plaques residing in the media and adventitia that may not be detected by angiography measurments of luminal narrowing. Statistically significant excess risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been reported in persons with periodontitis independent of established risk factors. We hypothesized that the systemic pathologic links also represent potential therapeutic links. RECENT FINDINGS We recently demonstrated that periodontal inflammation promotes atherosclerotic plaque inflammation and destabilization. As discrete pathological regions, these plaques with a high susceptibility to rupture can be imaged and differentiated from lower risk plaques. In cholesterol-fed rabbits with periodontal disease, circulating inflammatory mediators were also significantly elevated thereby contributing to "vulnerable blood," a systemic characteristic of high risk for cardiovascular events. New studies show that certain lipid mediators, including lipoxins and resolvins, are potent in preventing and possibly treating a number of inflammation-associated diseases, including periodontitis and vascular inflammation. The concept of the vulnerable patient and the pro-resolving approach open new terrain for discovery of paradigm-changing therapies for the prevention and treatment of two of the most common diseases of man. Importantly, lipoxins and resolvins are natural receptor agonists that do not exhibit the same pro-atherogenic side effects attributed to anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., NSAIDs) but rather coordinate resolution of inflammation and a return to homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Hamilton
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W302, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA.
| | - Hatice Hasturk
- Department of Applied Oral Sciences, The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Alpdogan Kantarci
- Department of Applied Oral Sciences, The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Charles N Serhan
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Van Dyke
- Department of Applied Oral Sciences, The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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14
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Abela OG, Ahsan CH, Alreefi F, Salehi N, Baig I, Janoudi A, Abela GS. Plaque Rupture and Thrombosis: the Value of the Atherosclerotic Rabbit Model in Defining the Mechanism. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2016; 18:29. [PMID: 27091328 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-016-0587-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Persistent inflammation and mechanical injury associated with cholesterol crystal accretion within atherosclerotic plaques typically precedes plaque disruption (rupture and/or erosion) and thrombosis--often the terminal events of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. To elucidate the mechanisms of these events, the atherosclerotic rabbit model provides a unique and powerful tool that facilitates studies of atherogenesis starting with plaque buildup to eventual disruption. Examination of human coronary arteries obtained from patients who died with myocardial infarction demonstrates evidence of cholesterol crystals perforating the plaque cap and intimal surface of the arterial wall that can lead to rupture. These observations were made possible by omitting ethanol, an avid lipid solvent, from the tissue processing steps. Importantly, the atherosclerotic rabbit model exhibits a similar pathology of cholesterol crystals perforating the intimal surface as seen in ruptured human plaques. Local and systemic inflammatory responses in the model are also similar to those observed in humans. The strong parallel between the rabbit and human pathology validates the atherosclerotic rabbit model as a predictor of human pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Thus, the atherosclerotic rabbit model can be used with confidence to evaluate diagnostic imaging and efficacy of novel anti-atherosclerotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver G Abela
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Chowdhury H Ahsan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Fadi Alreefi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Negar Salehi
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Imran Baig
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Abed Janoudi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - George S Abela
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Division of Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Michigan State University, B208 Clinical Center, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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15
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Shi A, Huang P, Guo S, Zhao L, Jia Y, Zong Y, Wan M. Precise spatial control of cavitation erosion in a vessel phantom by using an ultrasonic standing wave. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2016; 31:163-172. [PMID: 26964937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In atherosclerotic inducement in animal models, the conventionally used balloon injury is invasive, produces excessive vessel injuries at unpredictable locations and is inconvenient in arterioles. Fortunately, cavitation erosion, which plays an important role in therapeutic ultrasound in blood vessels, has the potential to induce atherosclerosis noninvasively at predictable sites. In this study, precise spatial control of cavitation erosion for superficial lesions in a vessel phantom was realised by using an ultrasonic standing wave (USW) with the participation of cavitation nuclei and medium-intensity ultrasound pulses. The superficial vessel erosions were restricted between adjacent pressure nodes, which were 0.87 mm apart in the USW field of 1 MHz. The erosion positions could be shifted along the vessel by nodal modulation under a submillimetre-scale accuracy without moving the ultrasound transducers. Moreover, the cavitation erosion of the proximal or distal wall could be determined by the types of cavitation nuclei and their corresponding cavitation pulses, i.e., phase-change microbubbles with cavitation pulses of 5 MHz and SonoVue microbubbles with cavitation pulses of 1 MHz. Effects of acoustic parameters of the cavitation pulses on the cavitation erosions were investigated. The flow conditions in the experiments were considered and discussed. Compared to only using travelling waves, the proposed method in this paper improves the controllability of the cavitation erosion and reduces the erosion depth, providing a more suitable approach for vessel endothelial injury while avoiding haemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiwei Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Peixuan Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Shifang Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Lu Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yingjie Jia
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yujin Zong
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Mingxi Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
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16
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Preclinical models of atherosclerosis. The future of Hybrid PET/MR technology for the early detection of vulnerable plaque. Expert Rev Mol Med 2016; 18:e6. [PMID: 27056676 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2016.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries. The aetiology is currently multifactorial, thus making them very difficult to prevent. Preclinical models of atherothrombotic diseases, including vulnerable plaque-associated complications, are now providing significant insights into pathologies like atherosclerosis, and in combination with the most recent advances in new non-invasive imaging technologies, they have become essential tools to evaluate new therapeutic strategies, with which can forecast and prevent plaque rupture. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography imaging is currently used for plaque visualisation in clinical and pre-clinical cardiovascular research, albeit with significant limitations. However, the combination of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies is still the best option available today, as combined PET/MRI scans provide simultaneous data acquisition together with high quality anatomical information, sensitivity and lower radiation exposure for the patient. The coming years may represent a new era for the implementation of PET/MRI in clinical practice, but first, clinically efficient attenuation correction algorithms and research towards multimodal reagents and safety issues should be validated at the preclinical level.
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17
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Li S, Wang YN, Niimi M, Ning B, Chen Y, Kang D, Wang Z, Yu Q, Waqar AB, Liu E, Zhang J, Shiomi M, Chen YE, Fan J. Angiotensin II Destabilizes Coronary Plaques in Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic Rabbits. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2016; 36:810-816. [PMID: 26988589 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.306871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) have been implicated in many cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms, and myocardial infarction, in humans. However, it is not known whether high levels of plasma Ang II affect coronary plaque stability and subsequent myocardial infarction. This study was designed to examine whether elevated plasma Ang II can directly induce coronary events, such as acute coronary syndrome. APPROACH AND RESULTS To examine the above hypothesis, we infused Ang II (100 ng/min per kg [low group] and 200 ng/min per kg [high group]) or saline vehicle via osmotic minipumps into Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits, a model of human familial hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Infusion of Ang II resulted in mortality rates of 50% and 92% in the low- and high-Ang II groups, respectively, whereas there were no deaths in the vehicle group. Pathological analysis revealed that Ang II-infused Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits that died showed myocardial infarction. Furthermore, Ang II-infused Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits exhibited coronary plaque erosion and rupture that were associated with thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that increased blood levels of Ang II can destabilize coronary plaques and trigger the thrombosis, which possibly induces myocardial infarction. The model described in this study provides a novel means for the study of human acute coronary syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Li
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Yan-Ning Wang
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Manabu Niimi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Bo Ning
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Yajie Chen
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Dedong Kang
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Ziyun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ahmed Bilal Waqar
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Enqi Liu
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease and Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Masashi Shiomi
- Institute for Experimental Animals, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jianglin Fan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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18
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Pham TA, Hua N, Phinikaridou A, Killiany R, Hamilton J. Early in vivo discrimination of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques that disrupt: A serial MRI study. Atherosclerosis 2015; 244:101-7. [PMID: 26606442 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS MRI has been validated as a suitable imaging modality for in vivo, non-invasive detection of atherosclerosis and has provided quantitative predictors of high-risk plaque. Here, we apply serial MRI to monitor the natural progression of plaques over a 3-month period in a rabbit model of atherothrombosis to determine differences over time between plaques that ultimately disrupt to form a luminal mural thrombus and plaques that remain stable. METHODS Atherosclerotic plaques were induced in 12 male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits by aortic endothelial injury and a 1% cholesterol diet. The rabbits were imaged 5 times: at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months, and 48hr after pharmacological triggering for plaque disruption. RESULTS Starting at 2 months, plaques that disrupted after triggering exhibited a higher remodeling ratio (RR, 1.05 ± 0.11 vs 0.97 ± 0.10, p = 0.0002) and a larger vessel wall area (VWA, 6.99 ± 1.54 mm(2) vs 6.30 ± 1.37 mm(2), p = 0.0072) than the stable non-disrupted plaques. The same trends were observed at 3 months: plaques that disrupted had a higher RR (1.04 ± 0.02 vs 0.99 ± 0.01, p = 0.0209), VWA (8.19 ± 2.69 mm(2) vs 6.81 ± 1.60 mm(2), p = 0.0001), and increased gadolinium uptake (75.51 ± 13.77% for disrupted vs 31.02 ± 6.45% for non-disrupted, p = 0.0022). CONCLUSIONS MR images of plaques that disrupted revealed larger VWAs, RRs, and increased gadolinium uptake at 2 months and continued progression of these vulnerable features between 2 and 3 months. Non-disrupted plaques had an independent history without these hallmarks of vulnerability. Our results show that MRI can provide early detection of plaques at a higher-risk for luminal thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan A Pham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ning Hua
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald Killiany
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Hamilton
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kivelä AM, Huusko J, Ylä-Herttuala S. Prospect and progress of gene therapy in treating atherosclerosis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15:1699-712. [PMID: 26328616 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1084282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite considerable improvements in therapies, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, in addition to current treatment options, new therapeutic approaches are still needed. AREAS COVERED In this review, novel gene and RNA interference-based therapy approaches and promising target genes for treating atherosclerosis are addressed. In addition, relevant animal models for the demonstration of the efficacy of different gene therapy applications, and current progress toward more efficient, targeted and safer gene transfer vectors are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION Atherosclerosis represents a complex multifactorial disease that is dependent on the interplay between lipoprotein metabolism, cellular reactions and inflammation. Recent advances and novel targets, especially in the field of RNA interference-based therapies, are very promising. However, it should be noted that the modulation of a particular gene is not as clearly associated with a complex polygenic disease as it is in the case of monogenic diseases. A deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis, further progress in vector development and the demonstration of treatment efficacy in relevant animal models will be required before gene therapy of atherosclerosis meets its clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annukka M Kivelä
- a 1 University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine , Kuopio, Finland +358 403 552 075 ;
| | - Jenni Huusko
- a 1 University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine , Kuopio, Finland +358 403 552 075 ;
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- a 1 University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine , Kuopio, Finland +358 403 552 075 ; .,b 2 Science Service Center , Kuopio, Finland.,c 3 Kuopio University Hospital, Gene Therapy Unit , Kuopio, Finland
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Liu H, Hou J, Hu S, Du X, Fang Y, Jia H, Feng L, Zhang L, Du J, Zhao Q, Xie Z, Yu B. A rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis induced by lipopolysaccharide. J Atheroscler Thromb 2014; 21:1075-86. [PMID: 24898380 DOI: 10.5551/jat.22772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic plaque, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potentially important source of inflammation. The aim of this study was to develop a rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis mimicking the pathophysiological and morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in humans. METHODS The rabbits were randomized into four groups: group A (n=10) received a normal diet; group B (n=10) received a regular diet and weekly LPS injections (1 μg/kg, Escherichia coli); group C (n=15) received a cholesterol-enriched diet before and after sustaining a balloon injury to the right common carotid artery; and group D (n=15) was treated the same as group C in addition to receiving LPS injections. The morphological characteristics of the resulting lesions were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology. RESULTS No significant atherosclerotic plaque was observed in groups A or B. Group D exhibited a higher incidence of spontaneous luminal thrombi than group C or B (60% vs. 20% vs. 10%, p<0.05). All of the thrombi detected with OCT were confirmed on histology. A good correlation between the fibrous cap thickness and thrombus arc was obtained on OCT and the histological evaluations. CONCLUSIONS A rabbit model of LPS-induced spontaneous thrombosis was developed in which OCT was used to follow changes in plaque morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Liu
- Department of Cardiology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratories of Education Ministry for Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism and Treatment, Harbin Medical University
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Millon A, Canet-Soulas E, Boussel L, Fayad Z, Douek P. Animal models of atherosclerosis and magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring plaque progression. Vascular 2014; 22:221-37. [DOI: 10.1177/1708538113478758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in most modern countries. Preventing clinical events depends on a better understanding of the mechanism of atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. Our knowledge on the characteristics of vulnerable plaques in humans has grown past decades. Histological studies have provided a precise definition of high-risk lesions and novel imaging methods for human atherosclerotic plaque characterization have made significant progress. However the pathological mechanisms leading from stable lesions to the formation of vulnerable plaques remain uncertain and the related clinical events are unpredictable. An animal model mimicking human plaque destablization is required as well as an in vivo imaging method to assess and monitor atherosclerosis progression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used for in vivo assessment of atherosclerotic plaques in the human carotids. MRI provides well-characterized morphological and functional features of human atherosclerotic plaque which can be also assessed in animal models. This review summarizes the most common species used as animal models for experimental atherosclerosis, the techniques to induce atherosclerosis and to obtain vulnerable plaques, together with the role of MRI for monitoring atherosclerotic plaques in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Millon
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France
- CREATIS, UMR CNRS 5515, INSERM U630, Lyon University, 69000 Lyon, France
| | | | - Loic Boussel
- CREATIS, UMR CNRS 5515, INSERM U630, Lyon University, 69000 Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Cardiovasculaire et Pneumologique, Louis Pradel, 69000 Lyon, France
| | - Zahi Fayad
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Philippe Douek
- CREATIS, UMR CNRS 5515, INSERM U630, Lyon University, 69000 Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Cardiovasculaire et Pneumologique, Louis Pradel, 69000 Lyon, France
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Phinikaridou A, Andia ME, Indermuehle A, Onthank DC, Cesati RR, Smith A, Robinson SP, Saha P, Botnar RM. Vascular Remodeling and Plaque Vulnerability in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis: Comparison of Delayed-Enhancement MR Imaging with an Elastin-specific Contrast Agent and Unenhanced Black-Blood MR Imaging. Radiology 2014; 271:390-9. [DOI: 10.1148/radiol.13130502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Lin QF, Luo YK, Zhao ZW, Cai W, Zhen XC, Chen LL. Atherosclerotic plaque identification by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in a rabbit abdominal aorta model of vulnerable plaque. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2013; 238:1223-32. [PMID: 24085783 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213493704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the utility of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) for recognizing vulnerable plaque compared to histological pathological analysis. Four-month-old New Zealand rabbits ( n = 16) were randomly divided into two groups: one fed a high-fat diet and subjected to balloon injury (experimental, n = 10) and one fed a high-fat diet alone (control, n = 6). Blood lipid profiles of overnight-fasted rabbits were measured at week 2 (beginning of study) and week 12 (end of study). At week 12, experimental group rabbits underwent IVUS under anaesthesia. Rabbits were sacrificed and a 5-cm segment of the abdominal aorta was removed. Arterial sections were subjected to pathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Serum lipid levels increased in all rabbits fed with high-fat diet, with low-density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increasing the most. Levels of six biomarkers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase-3, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-α, and oxidized [ox]-LDL) showed no differences between the two groups at week 2, but were higher in the experimental group at week 12. A total of 276 atherosclerotic plaques in the experimental group were analysed. VH-IVUS had sensitivities of 87% and 92% for detection of noncalcified and calcified thin-cap fibroatheromas, respectively. VH-IVUS correctly identified 85% and 89% of noncalcified and calcified fibroatheromas, respectively. For detection of pathological intimal thickening, VH-IVUS showed a sensitivity of 79% and positive predictive value of 78%. Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between histology and VH-IVUS for the percent area of fibrous fibro-fatty tissue, necrotic calcified tissue, and confluent necrotic core. The intra-observer and inter-observer variability of the intimal and medial-adventitial boundaries was low. Endothelial injury followed by a high-fat diet in rabbits is a viable method for inducing atheroma, and VH-IVUS is a feasible, reproducible, and valuable means of vulnerable plaque identification in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Fei Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
- Department of Cardiology, Wuyishan Municipal Hospital, Fujian Province 354300, China
| | - Yu-Kun Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Wen Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
| | - Xing-Chun Zhen
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
| | - Liang-Long Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, and Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease, Fuzhou 350001, P. R. China
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Sun X, Cao W, Cui J, Wang L, Ma L, Wang T, Peng C, Tian Z, Shi S, Guo S, Tian Y. An animal model of atherosclerotic plaque disruption and thrombosis in rabbit using pharmacological triggering to plaques induced by perivascular collar placement. Cardiovasc Pathol 2013; 22:264-9. [PMID: 23452613 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited availability of suitable animal model of plaque disruption and thrombosis has hampered the study of mechanism and preclinical evaluation of plaque-stabilizing therapies. This study aims to develop an animal model of atherosclerotic plaque disruption and thrombosis in rabbit femoral artery. METHODS Silastic collars were placed around the bilateral femoral arteries of rabbits, which had been fed with atherogenic diet for 7 days. After 28 days on the same diet, the rabbits received pharmacological triggering by intraperitoneal injection of Russell's viper venom (RVV, 0.15 mg/kg) followed by intravenous injection of histamine (0.02 mg/kg), and the animals were then processed for imageological and histological examinations. RESULTS Perivascular collar placement of the femoral artery in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits for 28 days induced marked intimal hyperplasia, which was a lipid- and collagen-rich lesion that contained substantial amount of macrophages and smooth muscle cells. Subsequent histological analysis showed that the pharmacological triggering evoked plaque disruption and platelet- and fibrin-rich thrombi in the collared femoral arteries. CONCLUSION We demonstrated, for the first time, a rabbit model of plaque disruption and thrombosis induced by the combination of perivascular collar placement, RVV, and histamine injections. This model can be rapidly formed, easily operated, and site controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
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25
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Zhao QM, Zhao X, Feng TT, Zhang MD, Zhuang XC, Zhao XC, Li LQ, Li DP, Liu Y. Detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and prediction of thrombosis events in a rabbit model using 18F-FDG -PET/CT. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61140. [PMID: 23613798 PMCID: PMC3629173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detection of vulnerable plaques could be clinically significant in the prevention of cardiovascular events. We aimed to compare Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake in vulnerable and stable plaques, and investigate the feasibility of predicting thrombosis events using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) angiography. METHODS Atherosclerosis was induced in 23 male New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits underwent pharmacological triggering to induce thrombosis. A pre-triggered PET/CTA scan and a post-triggered PET/CTA scan were respectively performed. (18)F-FDG uptake by the aorta was expressed as maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and mean SUV (SUVmean). SUVs were measured on serial 7.5 mm arterial segments. RESULTS Thrombosis was identified in 15 of 23 rabbits. The pre-triggered SUVmean and SUVmax were 0.768 ± 0.111 and 0.804 ± 0.120, respectively, in the arterial segments with stable plaque, and 1.097 ± 0.189 and 1.229 ± 0.290, respectively, in the arterial segments with vulnerable plaque (P<0.001, respectively). The post-triggered SUVmean and SUVmax were 0.849 ± 0.167 and 0.906 ± 0.191, respectively in the arterial segments without thrombosis, and 1.152 ± 0.258 and 1.294 ± 0.313, respectively in the arterial segments with thrombosis (P<0.001, respectively). The values of SUVmean in the pre-triggered arterial segments were used to plot a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for predicting thrombosis events. Area under the curve (AUC) was 0.898. Maximal sensitivity and specificity (75.4% and 88.5%, respectively) were obtained when SUVmean was 0.882. CONCLUSIONS Vulnerable and stable plaques can be distinguished by quantitative analysis of (18)F-FDG uptake in the arterial segments in this rabbit model. PET/CT may be used for predicting thrombosis events and risk-stratification in patients with atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan-ming Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting-ting Feng
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-duo Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-cui Zhuang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-cheng Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-qin Li
- Center for PET/CT, General Hospital of Second Artillery of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - De-peng Li
- Center for PET/CT, General Hospital of Second Artillery of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Assessment of atherosclerotic plaques in the rabbit abdominal aorta with interleukin-8 monoclonal antibody-targeted ultrasound microbubbles. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:3083-92. [PMID: 23292075 PMCID: PMC3594821 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2382-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to prepare a neovascularization-relevant inflammatory cytokine-targeted ultrasound contrast agent and apply it in the ultrasound imaging of atherosclerotic plaque. An interleukin-8 (IL-8) monoclonal antibody was conjugated to SonoVue microbubbles using the N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate cross-linking method. Then, a prepared IL-8-targeted contrast agent was used for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) to detect rabbit abdominal aorta atherosclerotic plaque and to investigate the imaging characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque with the contrast agent. We found that an IL-8 monoclonal antibody can be successfully coupled to SonoVue microbubbles with stable biological characteristics. CEU with this IL-8-targeted contrast agent can increase the atherosclerotic plaque detection sensitivity, with stronger echo, so that three more plaques were detected compared with using non-targeted SonoVue microbubbles. Thus, an inflammatory cytokine-targeting ultrasound contrast agent carrying IL-8 monoclonal antibody can provide unique advantages for researching the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque.
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27
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Lu XT, Liu YF, Zhao L, Li WJ, Yang RX, Yan FF, Zhao YX, Jiang F. Chronic psychological stress induces vascular inflammation in rabbits. Stress 2013; 16:87-98. [PMID: 22428781 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2012.676696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. It is unclear, however, whether psychological stress contributes to vascular inflammation. Here, we examined the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on vascular inflammation in rabbits. One hundred rabbits were randomly divided into control and stress groups. UCMS was induced by a set of defined adverse conditions applied in a shuffled order for 4, 8, 12, or 16 weeks, and rabbits were killed 24 h after the end of the UCMS protocol. Expression of different inflammatory molecules was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. UCMS resulted in depression-like behaviors, decreased body weight gain, and hypertension with no significant effects on serum lipids. Aortic mRNA and protein expression for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein were increased. UCMS increased circulating concentrations of corticosterone, TNF-α, and CRP throughout. Moreover, stress downregulated the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. At 16 weeks of UCMS, macrophage infiltration and lipid accumulation in the subendothelial space were detected in the aorta. In cultured murine vascular smooth muscle cells, treatment with serum from stressed rabbits significantly increased phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and upregulated expression of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 mRNAs, in which the effect was blunted by a TNF-α neutralizing antibody or p38 and JNK inhibitors. Our results indicate that chronic psychological stress induces vascular inflammation via TNF-α and p38/JNK pathways, which may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ting Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, PR China
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Wu G, Xie Q, Xu L, Jiang H, Huang Z, Huang C. Pravastatin Inhibits Plaque Rupture and Subsequent Thrombus Formation in Atherosclerotic Rabbits with Hyperlipidemia. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2013. [DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c12-00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
| | - Zhengrong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University
| | - Congxin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
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Fassio F, Almerigogna F. Kounis syndrome (allergic acute coronary syndrome): different views in allergologic and cardiologic literature. Intern Emerg Med 2012; 7:489-95. [PMID: 22271392 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-012-0754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The clinical picture of myocardial ischemia accompanying allergic reactions is defined in the cardiologic literature as Kounis syndrome (KS) or allergic angina/myocardial infarction. In PubMed, a search for "Kounis syndrome", "allergic angina" or "allergic myocardial infarction" retrieves more than 100 results (among case reports, case series and reviews), most of which are published in cardiology/internal medicine/emergency medicine journals. In allergologic literature, heart involvement during anaphylactic reactions is well documented, but Kounis syndrome is hardly mentioned. Single case reports and small case series of angina triggered by allergic reactions have been reported for many years, and involvement of histamine and others mast cell mediators in the pathogenesis of coronary spasm has long been hypothesized, but the existence of an allergic acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is still questioned in the allergologic scientific community. Putative mechanisms of an allergic acute coronary syndrome include coronary spasm or heart tissue-resident mast cell activation (precipitating coronary spasm or inducing plaque rupture and coronary or stent thrombosis) due to systemic increase of allergic mediators, or heart tissue-resident mast cell activation by local stimuli. Indeed, the pathogenic mechanism of an ACS after an allergic insult might be related to direct effects of mast cell mediators on the myocardium and the atherosclerotic plaque, or to exacerbation of preexisting disease by the hemodynamic stress of the acute allergic/anaphylactic reaction. Which of these mechanisms is most important is still unclear, and this review outlines current views in the cardiologic and allergologic literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Fassio
- Department of Biomedicine, Immunology and Cell Therapies Unit, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Italy.
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Fuster JJ, Castillo AI, Zaragoza C, Ibáñez B, Andrés V. Animal models of atherosclerosis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2012; 105:1-23. [PMID: 22137427 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394596-9.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is currently the predominant cause of mortality worldwide and its incidence is expected to increase significantly during the next decades owing to the unhealthy effects of modern lifestyle habits (e.g., obesity and lack of physical exercise). Cardiovascular death is frequently associated with acute myocardial infarction or stroke, which are generally the ultimate consequence of an underlying atherosclerotic process. Small and big animal models are valuable tools to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression, as well as the occurrence of associated ischemic events. Moreover, animal models of atherosclerosis are pivotal for testing mechanistic hypothesis and for translational research, including the assessment of dietary and/or pharmacological interventions and the development of imaging technologies and interventional devices. In this chapter, we will describe the most widely used animal models that have permitted major advances in atherosclerosis research and significant improvements in the treatment and diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José J Fuster
- Department of Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
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Lazoura O, Zacharoulis D, Kanavou T, Rountas C, Katsimboulas M, Tzovaras G, Habib N. A Novel Experimental Animal Model of Arterial Stenosis Based on Endovascular Radiofrequency Energy Application. J INVEST SURG 2011; 24:123-8. [DOI: 10.3109/08941939.2011.557470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Xiangdong L, Yuanwu L, Hua Z, Liming R, Qiuyan L, Ning L. Animal models for the atherosclerosis research: a review. Protein Cell 2011; 2:189-201. [PMID: 21468891 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-011-1016-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its mechanisms are still unclear. However, various animal models have significantly advanced our understanding of the mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis and have allowed the evaluation of therapeutic options. The aim of this paper is to review those animal models (i.e., rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, avian, carnivores, swine, and, non-human primates) that have been used to study atherosclerosis. Though there is no single perfect animal model that completely replicates the stages of human atherosclerosis, cholesterol feeding and mechanical endothelial injury are two common features shared by most models of atherosclerosis. Further, with the development of genetically modified animals, these models are significantly broadening our understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiangdong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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In vivo MR imaging of plaque disruption and thrombus formation in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2011; 28:577-86. [PMID: 21461662 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-011-9854-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Our aim is to introduce an atherosclerotic rabbit model for inducing atherosclerosis lesions in rabbits, and to validate the model in vivo with 3T high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the thrombosis followed a pharmacologically triggered plaque disruption. Twenty male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 4). The aortic wall injuries were induced by an intravascular balloon in the experimental group rabbits after feeding them with a high cholesterol diet for 2 weeks. The pharmacological triggering with Russell's viper venom and histamine was performed after totally 16 weeks of intermittent cholesterol feeding. All of the animals underwent both the pre-trigger and post-trigger MR examinations including TOF, T1WI, T2WI and post contrast T1WI. Euthanasia was performed in all rabbits; gross anatomy and histological specimen of aorta were obtained. MR images were analyzed and compared with histological results. Compared with the control group rabbits, the aorta of the experimental group rabbits in the pre-triggered MR images showed an increased vessel wall thickening, luminal narrowing, and vessel wall enhancement. Fourteen rabbits survived the triggering, and 8 of them developed thrombosis (58.1%). No thrombus was found in the control group. The accuracy of the multi-sequences MR including TOF, T1WI, T2WI and post contrast T1WI was 87.1% (27/31) for detecting thrombus. MR data significantly correlated with the histopathology data for both thrombus length (r = 0.94, P < 0.01) and thrombus location (r = 0.85, P < 0.01), respectively. The study demonstrated that MR reliably determined the plaque disruption and thrombus formation in the atherosclerotic rabbit model.
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Atherosclerosis and thrombosis: insights from large animal models. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011; 2011:907575. [PMID: 21274431 PMCID: PMC3022266 DOI: 10.1155/2011/907575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications are responsible for remarkably high numbers of deaths. The combination of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental approaches has largely contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the atherothrombotic process. Indeed, different animal models have been implemented in atherosclerosis and thrombosis research in order to provide new insights into the mechanisms that have already been outlined in isolated cells and protein studies. Yet, although no model completely mimics the human pathology, large animal models have demonstrated better suitability for translation to humans. Indeed, direct translation from mice to humans should be taken with caution because of the well-reported species-related differences. This paper provides an overview of the available atherothrombotic-like animal models, with a particular focus on large animal models of thrombosis and atherosclerosis, and examines their applicability for translational research purposes as well as highlights species-related differences with humans.
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A rabbit model of thrombosis on atherosclerotic lesions. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2011:424929. [PMID: 21253503 PMCID: PMC3021877 DOI: 10.1155/2011/424929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombus formation on a disrupted atherosclerotic plaque is a key event that leads to atherothrombosis. Because thrombus is induced by chemical or physical injury of normal arteries in most animal models of thrombosis, the mechanisms of thrombogenesis and thrombus growth in atherosclerotic vessels should be investigated in diseased arteries of appropriate models. Pathological findings of human atherothrombosis suggest that tissue factor, an initiator of the coagulation cascade, significantly affects enhanced platelet aggregation and fibrin formation after plaque disruption. We established a rabbit model of atherothrombosis based on human pathology in which differences in thrombus formation between normal and atherosclerotic arteries, factors contributing to thrombus growth, and mechanisms of plaque erosion can be investigated. Emerging transgenic and stem cell technologies should also provide an invaluable rabbit experimental model in the near future.
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Hypercholesterolemia and myocardial function evaluated via tissue doppler imaging. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2009; 7:56. [PMID: 19943937 PMCID: PMC2794260 DOI: 10.1186/1476-7120-7-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/27/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a link between hypercholesterolemia and myocardial dysfunction. BACKGROUND Heart failure is a complex disease involving changes in systolic and diastolic function. Newer echocardiographic imaging modalities may be able to detect discreet changes in myocardial function associated with hypercholesterolemia. Therefore we sought to establish a link between hypercholesterolemia and myocardial dysfunction with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS Twenty-seven rabbits were studied: 7 were fed normal chow (group 1) and 20 a high cholesterol diet (10 with ezetimibe, 1 mg/kg/day; group 2 and 10 without, group 3). Echocardiographic images were obtained under general anesthesia. Serum cholesterol levels were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 months and myocardial cholesterol levels measured following euthanasia. RESULTS Doppler measurements, including E/A, E'/A' and S' were significantly lower in group 3 compared to both groups 1 and 2 but no significant differences were noted in chamber sizes or ejection fraction among the groups. Average serum cholesterol was higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 respectively (495 +/- 305 mg/dl vs. 114 +/- 95 mg/dl and 87 +/- 37 mg/dl; p < 0.01). Myocardial cholesterol content was also higher in group 3 compared to group 2 (0.10 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.06 mg/dl +/- 0.02; p = 0.05). There was significant correlation between S', E'/A', E/E' and serum cholesterol (r2 = 0.17 p = 0.04, r2 = 0.37 p = 0.001 and r2 = 0.24 p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Cholesterol load in the serum and myocardium was significantly associated with decreased systolic and diastolic function by TDI. Moreover, lipid lowering was protective.
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Shimizu T, Nakai K, Morimoto Y, Ishihara M, Oishi H, Kikuchi M, Arai H. Simple rabbit model of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2009; 49:327-32; discussion 332. [PMID: 19706997 DOI: 10.2176/nmc.49.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the appropriate conditions for induction of lesions in the rabbit atherosclerosis model. Four-week-old male Japanese white rabbits (n = 19) were fed the high cholesterol diet (HCD). This group was classified as the early start (ES) group. The animals were divided into three groups: (i) 1% HCD group (n = 8), (ii) 2% HCD group (n = 8), and (iii) normal diet group (control, n = 3). The HCD groups were divided into two subgroups: (a) balloon injury (BI) group (1% HCD, n = 5; 2% HCD, n = 4), and (b) non-BI group (1% HCD, n = 3; 2% HCD, n = 4). Survival period, histological characteristics, area of plaque, and effects of BI and diet cholesterol content were analyzed. Twelve-week-old male Japanese white rabbits (n = 8) were fed the 1% HCD. This group was classified as the late start (LS) group, and underwent BI in the aorta. The histological characteristics and area of plaque were investigated. The plaque satisfied the three requirements of vulnerable plaque: Lipid rich core, accumulation of macrophages, and thin fibrous cap. The plaque area was significantly greater in the ES group compared to the LS group (p = 0.0037). Survival analysis found no statistical correlation with BI or diet cholesterol content. This study indicates that the simplest conditions for inducing the rabbit atherosclerosis model are 1% HCD, non-BI, and early start of HCD. This model is suitable for experiments with new therapeutic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Shimizu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Fang SM, Zhang QH, Jiang ZX. Developing a novel rabbit model of atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis by cold-induced endothelial injury. J Biomed Sci 2009; 16:39. [PMID: 19344521 PMCID: PMC2682487 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-16-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 04/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is widely believed that atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis leads to acute coronary events and stroke. However, study of the mechanism and treatment of human plaque rupture is hampered by lack of a suitable animal model. Our aim was to develop a novel animal model of atherosclerotic plaque rupture to facilitate the study of human plaque disruption and thrombosis. Methods 28 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: rabbits in group A (n = 12) were only fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks; rabbits in group B (n = 16) underwent cold-induced endothelial injury with liquid nitrogen, then were given a high-fat diet for eight weeks. After completion of the preparatory regimen, triggering of plaque rupture was attempted by local injection of liquid nitrogen in both groups. Results All rabbits in group B had disrupted plaques or rupture-driven occlusive thrombus formation, but none in group A showed any effects. More importantly, the cold-induced plaques in our model were reminiscent of human atherosclerotic plaques in terms of architecture, cellular composition, growth characteristics, and patterns of lipid accumulation. Conclusion We successfully developed a novel rabbit model of atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis, which is simple, fast, inexpensive, and reproducible, and has a low mortality and a high yield of triggering. This model will allow us to better understand the mechanism of human plaque rupture and also to develop plaque-stabilizing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Miao Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Southern Medical University (SMF), Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Ni M, Wang Y, Zhang M, Zhang PF, Ding SF, Liu CX, Liu XL, Zhao YX, Zhang Y. Atherosclerotic plaque disruption induced by stress and lipopolysaccharide in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2009; 296:H1598-606. [PMID: 19286965 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01202.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To establish an animal model with disruptions of atherosclerotic plaques, 96 male apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice were randomly divided into stress, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stress+LPS, and control groups (n = 24 each). All mice were fed a high-fat diet throughout the experiment, and carotid atherosclerotic lesions were induced by placement of a constrictive perivascular collar. Four weeks after surgery, mice in the LPS and stress+LPS groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg twice per week for 8 wk). Eight weeks after surgery, mice in the stress and stress+LPS groups were treated with intermittent physical stress (electric foot shock and noise stimulation) for 4 wk. Morphological analysis revealed a plaque disruption rate of 16.7% in control, 34.8% in LPS, 54.2% in stress, and 60.9% in stress+LPS groups. The disruption rates in stress and stress+LPS groups were both significantly higher than those of controls (P = 0.007 and P = 0.002, respectively). Luminal thrombosis secondary to plaque disruption was observed only in the stress+LPS group. Both stress and LPS stimulation significantly decreased fibrous cap thickness and increased macrophage and lipid contents in plaques. Moreover, the combination of stress and LPS stimulation further lowered cap thickness and enhanced accumulation of macrophages and expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Stress activated the sympathetic nervous system, as manifested by increased blood pressure and flow velocity. Plasma fibrinogen levels were remarkably elevated in the stress and stress+LPS groups. In conclusion, stress- and LPS-costimulated apoE(-/-) mice provide a useful model for studies of plaque vulnerability and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Ni
- Shandong Univ. Qilu Hospital, No. 107, Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P. R. China
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Abstract
The role of the platelet and the endothelium in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and subsequent ischemic events has been the subject of extensive investigation. Arterial sites where endothelial function is severely impaired are often the sites of atheroma development. Lesion evolution impairs endothelial function, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle of growth. During early lesion development, overt thrombotic events are rare. However, rupture of an advanced, necrotic plaque or intimal ulceration triggers arterial thrombosis, at which point the importance of platelet function may be seen clearly. The Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration meta-analysis demonstrated the benefit of antiplatelet therapy to patients with atherosclerotic disease. Aspirin is the most widely studied agent and is considered the standard of antiplatelet therapy. Newer agents that intervene at different stages of the platelet activation pathway have been developed. Clopidogrel, a new adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist, is more effective than aspirin in reducing vascular events in patients with prior myocardial infarction, stroke, or established peripheral arterial disease. The glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonists such as abciximab have proven effective in the setting of active arterial thrombosis and percutaneous revascularization, but their value in secondary prevention remains unknown. All patients with atherosclerosis should be treated with an antiplatelet drug. Current evidence suggests that either aspirin or clopidogrel are appropriate first-line agents. There is urgent need for an analysis of the risk/benefit ratio in various populations and clinical settings to determine the most appropriate type and intensity of therapy for a given patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wilson
- Department of Cardiology, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital/Texas Heart Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, USA
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Phinikaridou A, Hallock KJ, Qiao Y, Hamilton JA. A robust rabbit model of human atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. J Lipid Res 2009; 50:787-97. [PMID: 19141434 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m800460-jlr200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption and thrombosis of atherosclerotic plaques cause most acute cardiovascular events, but their systematic study has been hampered by the lack of suitable animal models. To assess the value of a modified rabbit model of atherothrombosis, we performed detailed histology of rabbit aortic plaques. Atherosclerosis was induced with a high cholesterol diet fed 2 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after balloon injury of the aorta, followed by 4 weeks of normal diet. We found six out of eight types of plaques cataloged by the American Heart Association in the rabbit aorta. Vulnerable plaques were defined as those with attached platelet and fibrin-rich thrombi after pharmacological triggering with Russell's viper venom and histamine. Ruptured plaques had, as also described for human plaques: i) marked medial and adventitial changes, including neovascularization and inflammation; ii) cholesterol monohydrate crystals and liquid crystalline cholesterol esters in the intima and the fibrous cap; and iii) inflamed, thin fibrous caps. Increased cholesterol monohydrate area, internal elastic lamina area, positive remodeling, fibrous cap inflammation, adventitia breakdown, and inflammation were independent predictors of plaque disruption. Our findings reveal novel insights into plaque vulnerability and could guide the design of noninvasive imaging approaches for detecting and treating high-risk plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkystis Phinikaridou
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Development of a thrombus at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque initiates abrupt arterial occlusion and is the proximate event responsible for the vast majority of acute ischemic syndromes. In nearly 75% of cases thrombus overlies a disrupted or ruptured plaque whereas the remainder of the thrombi overly an intact plaque with superficial endothelial erosion. Over the past several years, it has been recognized that plaque composition rather than plaque size or stenosis severity is important for plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis. Ruptured plaques, and by inference, plaques prone to rupture, tend to be large in size with associated expansive arterial remodeling, thin fibrous cap with a thick or large necrotic lipid core with immuno-inflammatory cell infiltration in fibrous cap and adventitia and increased plaque neovascularity and intraplaque hemorrhage. The size of the necrotic lipid core and extent and location of plaque inflammation appear to be key factors in determining plaque instability. Inflammation and immune cell activation appears to play a key role in the loss of collagen in the fibrous cap, a prelude to fibrous cap rupture, through release of collagen degrading enzymes. Furthermore, inflammation may also play a key role in the death of collagen synthesizing smooth muscle cells which further contributes to loss of fibrous cap integrity. Inflammation also is likely a key player in the ensuing thrombosis that follows plaque disruption through the elaboration of the pro-coagulant protein, tissue factor. An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of plaque vulnerability and subsequent athero-thrombosis should provide novel insights into improved prevention of athero-thrombotic cardiovascular events.
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Chen WQ, Zhang L, Liu YF, Chen L, Ji XP, Zhang M, Zhao YX, Yao GH, Zhang C, Wang XL, Zhang Y. Prediction of atherosclerotic plaque ruptures with high-frequency ultrasound imaging and serum inflammatory markers. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293:H2836-44. [PMID: 17704293 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00472.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis are the main causes of acute coronary syndrome. In the present study, we investigated whether ultrasound imaging and inflammatory parameters are predictive of plaque rupture in a newly established animal model. We developed a rabbit model for plaque rupture by locally delivering recombinant p53 adenovirus to plaques in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet for 10 wk, and plaque rupture was triggered using Chinese Russell's viper venom and histamine. We found that 81.1% of rabbits transfected with p53 ( n = 37) had the ruptured plaques, which was significantly higher than results in rabbits transfected with the control vector (26.3%, n = 38; P < 0.001). Among measured biomarkers, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were significantly different between rabbits with and without ruptured plaques. Using high-frequency duplex and intravascular ultrasound imaging techniques, we obtained a list of parameters. With the multivariate logistic regression model, we identified that plaque eccentric index, plaque area, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, and corrected integrated backscatter intensity were significant predictors of plaque rupture, with odds ratios of 7.056 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.958, ∼25.430], 1.942 (95% CI: 1.058, ∼3.564), 1.025 (95% CI: 1.007, ∼1.043), and 0.856 (95% CI: 0.775, ∼0.946), respectively. Localized p53 overexpression technique induces plaque rupture, and the combined measurement of ultrasound and biochemical markers is a valuable tool in predicting plaque rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Qiang Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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Meng L, Lv B, Zhang S, Yv B. In vivo optical coherence tomography of experimental thrombosis in a rabbit carotid model. Heart 2007; 94:777-80. [PMID: 17947363 PMCID: PMC2564841 DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2007.117382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Plaque rupture with subsequent thrombosis is recognised as the underlying pathophysiology of most acute coronary syndromes. Thus, direct thrombus visualisation in vivo may be beneficial for both diagnosis and guidance of therapy. We sought to test the feasibility of imaging acute thrombosis in vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in an experimental thrombosis animal model. Methods and results: Nine male New Zealand White rabbits (weight ≈3.0 kg) were made atherosclerotic with a high-cholesterol diet after injury of the right carotid artery endothelium. Thrombus was then induced with the use of Russell’s viper venom (RVV) and histamine. Subsequently, OCT imaging of the right carotid artery was performed. Histology was performed on arterial regions that were injured by balloon. Six rabbits (67%) developed thrombus. Histological correlation confirmed all thrombi (100%) detected with OCT, with no other thrombi seen in the other regions of the right carotid artery. In the remaining three rabbits, no thrombus was observed by OCT or histology. Conclusion: We demonstrate the feasibility of OCT for the detection of acute thrombosis in vivo using an animal model of atherosclerosis and acute thrombosis. Potential clinical applications include thrombus detection in acute coronary syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Meng
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, HarBin Medical University, HarBin, China, 150086.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Coronary artery thrombosis superimposed on a disrupted atherosclerotic plaque initiates abrupt arterial occlusion and is the proximate event responsible for 60-80% cases of acute coronary syndromes. This article provides a concise update on the evolving concepts in the pathophysiology of plaque rupture and thrombosis. RECENT FINDINGS Over the past several years, the critical role of plaque composition rather than plaque size or stenosis severity, in plaque rupture and thrombosis have been recognized. The necrotic lipid core and plaque inflammation appear to be key factors. Extracellular matrix loss in the fibrous cap, a prelude to rupture, is attributed to matrix degrading enzymes as well as to death of matrix synthesizing smooth muscle cells; inflammation appears to play a critical role in both these processes. Inflammatory cell derived tissue factor is a key contributor to plaque thrombogenicity. Inflammation has also been implicated in plaque neovascularity, intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque expansion. Recent observations have also highlighted the important modulatory role of immune system in atherosclerosis and plaque composition. SUMMARY Improved understanding of mechanisms causing plaque instability should provide novel insights into prevention of athero-thrombotic cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prediman K Shah
- Division of Cardiology and Atherosclerosis Research Center, Burns and Allen Research Institute and Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center and UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.
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Steen H, Lima JAC, Chatterjee S, Kolmakova A, Gao F, Rodriguez ER, Stuber M. High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Aortic Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Quantitative Vessel Wall Characterization of Different Atherosclerotic Stages in a Rabbit Model. Invest Radiol 2007; 42:614-21. [PMID: 17700276 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e3180592a93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Atherosclerosis results in a considerable medical and socioeconomic impact on society. We sought to evaluate novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography and vessel wall sequences to visualize and quantify different morphologic stages of atherosclerosis in a Watanabe hereditary hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Aortic 3D steady-state free precession angiography and subrenal aortic 3D black-blood fast spin-echo vessel wall imaging pre- and post-Gadolinium (Gd) was performed in 14 WHHL rabbits (3 normal, 6 high-cholesterol diet, and 5 high-cholesterol diet plus endothelial denudation) on a commercial 1.5 T MR system. Angiographic lumen diameter, vessel wall thickness, signal-/contrast-to-noise analysis, total vessel area, lumen area, and vessel wall area were analyzed semiautomatically. RESULTS Pre-Gd, both lumen and wall dimensions (total vessel area, lumen area, vessel wall area) of group 2 + 3 were significantly increased when compared with those of group 1 (all P < 0.01). Group 3 animals had significantly thicker vessel walls than groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.01), whereas angiographic lumen diameter was comparable among all groups. Post-Gd, only diseased animals of groups 2 + 3 showed a significant (>100%) signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise increase. CONCLUSIONS A combination of novel 3D magnetic resonance angiography and high-resolution 3D vessel wall MRI enabled quantitative characterization of various atherosclerotic stages including positive arterial remodeling and Gd uptake in a WHHL rabbit model using a commercially available 1.5 T MRI system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Steen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Christov A, Dai E, Drangova M, Liu L, Abela GS, Nash P, McFadden G, Lucas A. Optical Detection of Triggered Atherosclerotic Plaque Disruption by Fluorescence Emission Analysis¶. Photochem Photobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2000)0720242odotap2.0.co2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Johnstone E, Friedl SE, Maheshwari A, Abela GS. Distinguishing characteristics of erythrocyte-rich and platelet-rich thrombus by intravascular ultrasound catheter system. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2007; 24:233-9. [PMID: 17396229 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-007-0027-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2006] [Accepted: 03/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute coronary syndromes are associated with platelet-rich, white thrombi (WT) and erythrocyte-rich, red thrombi (RT), but their ultrasonic characteristics are not well defined. To determine whether intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) could be used to detect specific characteristics of WT and RT, two experiments were performed. METHODS An in-vitro experiment evaluated five WT and five RT and an ex-vivo experiment evaluated thrombi from 17 atherosclerotic rabbits with disrupted plaques and overlying thrombi. Specimen were mounted flat, immersed in a saline bath and examined from the intimal surface. Thrombi were classified as WT (n = 69) or RT (n = 40) by gross inspection and histology. IVUS was performed using a 1 mm, 20 MHz transducer in a 4.8F catheter. Images were digitally converted and points integrated to account for angular and depth resolution. Sampling was performed at the water-tissue interface and four other sites at 0.3 mm radial depth increments. Signals from each depth were standardized by obtaining the ratio of each energy level to the level at the water-tissue interface. RESULTS The average energy ratio backscattered by RT was constant with increasing tissue depth while it attenuated for WT (P < 0.005; 2-way ANOVA). RT was less homogeneous and had more backscatter compared to WT. Light and electron microscopy corroborated these observations showing WT as densely homogenous and RT with loose cellular elements. CONCLUSION WT may be detected by its attenuated ultrasound pattern versus a non-attenuated pattern for RT by IVUS. This technique has potential for characterizing WT and RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Johnstone
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Steen H, Kolmakova A, Stuber M, Rodriguez ER, Gao F, Chatterjee S, Lima JA. MRI visualized neo-intimal dissection and co-localization of novel apoptotic markers apolipoprotein C-1, ceramide and caspase-3 in a Watanabe hyperlipidemic rabbit model. Atherosclerosis 2007; 191:82-9. [PMID: 16822514 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2005] [Revised: 04/24/2006] [Accepted: 05/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Apoptotic arterial wall vascular smooth muscle cell death is known to contribute to plaque vulnerability and rupture. Novel apoptotic markers like apolipoprotein C-I have been implicated in apoptotic human vascular smooth muscle cell death via recruiting a neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase)-ceramide pathway. In vivo relevance of these observations in an animal model of plaque rupture has not been shown. METHODS AND RESULTS Using Watanabe rabbits, we investigated three different groups (group 1, three normal Watanabe rabbits; group 2, six Watanabe rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet for 3 months; group 3, five Watanabe rabbits with similar diet but additional endothelial denudation). We followed progression of atherosclerosis to pharmacologically induced plaque rupture non-invasively using novel 3D magnetic resonance Fast-Field-Echo angiography (TR=7.2, TE=3.6 ms, matrix=512 x 512) and Fast-Spin-Echo vessel wall imaging methods (TR=3 heart beats, TE=10.5 ms, matrix=304 x 304) on 1.5 T MRI. MRI provided excellent image quality with good MRI versus histology vessel wall thickness correlation (r=0.8). In six animals of group 2/3 MRI detected neo-intimal dissection in the abdominal aorta which was accompanied by immuno-histochemical demonstration of concomitant aforementioned novel apoptotic markers, previously implicated in the apoptotic smooth muscle cell death in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our studies suggest a potential role for the signal transduction pathway involving apolipoprotein C-I for in vivo apoptosis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture visualized by MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Steen
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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