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Halliwell B, Watt F, Minqin R. Iron and atherosclerosis: Lessons learned from rabbits relevant to human disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 209:165-170. [PMID: 37852545 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.10.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The role of iron in promoting atherosclerosis, and hence the cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and other diseases that result from atherosclerosis, has been fiercely controversial. Many studies have been carried out on various rodent models of atherosclerosis, especially on apoE-knockout (apoE-/-) mice, which develop atherosclerosis more readily than normal mice. These apoE-/- mouse studies generally support a role for iron in atherosclerosis development, although there are conflicting results. The purpose of the current article is to describe studies on another animal model that is not genetically manipulated; New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. This may be a better model than the apoE-/- mice for human atherosclerosis, although it has been given much less attention. Studies on NZW rabbits support the view that iron promotes atherosclerosis, although some uncertainties remain, which need to be resolved by further experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Neurobiology Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Centre for Life Sciences, #05-01A, 28 Medical Drive, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Frank Watt
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Faculty of Science, 2 Science Drive 3, Blk S12, Level 2, 117551, Singapore.
| | - Ren Minqin
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Faculty of Science, 2 Science Drive 3, Blk S12, Level 2, 117551, Singapore.
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Assessment of Albumin ECM Accumulation and Inflammation as Novel In Vivo Diagnostic Targets for Multi-Target MR Imaging. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100964. [PMID: 34681063 PMCID: PMC8533611 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory vascular disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction and plaque burden. Extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated plasma proteins play an important role in disease development. Our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study investigates the feasibility of using two different molecular MRI probes for the simultaneous assessment of ECM-associated intraplaque albumin deposits caused by endothelial damage and progressive inflammation in atherosclerosis. Male apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-)-mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 or 4 months. Another ApoE-/--group was treated with pravastatin and received a HFD for 4 months. T1- and T2*-weighted MRI was performed before and after albumin-specific MRI probe (gadofosveset) administration and a macrophage-specific contrast agent (ferumoxytol). Thereafter, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and histology were performed. With advancing atherosclerosis, albumin-based MRI signal enhancement and ferumoxytol-induced signal loss areas in T2*-weighted MRI increased. Significant correlations between contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) post-gadofosveset and albumin stain (R2 = 0.78, p < 0.05), and signal loss areas in T2*-weighted MRI with Perls' Prussian blue stain (R2 = 0.83, p < 0.05) were observed. No interference of ferumoxytol with gadofosveset enhancement was detectable. Pravastatin led to decreased inflammation and intraplaque albumin. Multi-target MRI combining ferumoxytol and gadofosveset is a promising method to improve diagnosis and treatment monitoring in atherosclerosis.
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Friedrich RP, Cicha I, Alexiou C. Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11092337. [PMID: 34578651 PMCID: PMC8466586 DOI: 10.3390/nano11092337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, many promising nanotechnological approaches to biomedical research have been developed in order to increase implementation of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in clinical practice. In the meantime, the use of nanomaterials for the regeneration of diseased or injured tissues is considered advantageous in most areas of medicine. In particular, for the treatment of cardiovascular, osteochondral and neurological defects, but also for the recovery of functions of other organs such as kidney, liver, pancreas, bladder, urethra and for wound healing, nanomaterials are increasingly being developed that serve as scaffolds, mimic the extracellular matrix and promote adhesion or differentiation of cells. This review focuses on the latest developments in regenerative medicine, in which iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) play a crucial role for tissue engineering and cell therapy. IONPs are not only enabling the use of non-invasive observation methods to monitor the therapy, but can also accelerate and enhance regeneration, either thanks to their inherent magnetic properties or by functionalization with bioactive or therapeutic compounds, such as drugs, enzymes and growth factors. In addition, the presence of magnetic fields can direct IONP-labeled cells specifically to the site of action or induce cell differentiation into a specific cell type through mechanotransduction.
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Mourouzis K, Oikonomou E, Siasos G, Tsalamadris S, Vogiatzi G, Antonopoulos A, Fountoulakis P, Goliopoulou A, Papaioannou S, Tousoulis D. Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Acute Coronary Syndromes. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:4624-4647. [PMID: 32282296 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200413082353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last decades, the role of inflammation and immune system activation in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been established. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to present the interplay between cytokines and their actions preceding and shortly after ACS. METHODS We searched in a systemic manner the most relevant articles to the topic of inflammation, cytokines, vulnerable plaque and myocardial infarction in MEDLINE, COCHRANE and EMBASE databases. RESULTS Different classes of cytokines (intereleukin [IL]-1 family, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) family, chemokines, adipokines, interferons) are implicated in the entire process leading to destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque, and consequently, to the incidence of myocardial infarction. Especially IL-1 and TNF-α family are involved in inflammatory cell accumulation, vulnerable plaque formation, platelet aggregation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and adverse remodeling following the myocardial infarction. Several cytokines such as IL-6, adiponectin, interferon-γ, appear with significant prognostic value in ACS patients. Thus, research interest focuses on the modulation of inflammation in ACS to improve clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION Understanding the unique characteristics that accompany each cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction could illuminate the signaling pathways involved in plaque destabilization and indicate future treatment strategies to improve cardiovascular prognosis in ACS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Mourouzis
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiris Tsalamadris
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Vogiatzi
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios Antonopoulos
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Fountoulakis
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Goliopoulou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Papaioannou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- 1st Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Hu ZP, Fang XL, Sheng B, Guo Y, Yu YQ. Melatonin inhibits macrophage infiltration and promotes plaque stabilization by upregulating anti-inflammatory HGF/c-Met system in the atherosclerotic rabbit: USPIO-enhanced MRI assessment. Vascul Pharmacol 2020; 127:106659. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2020.106659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Maruf A, Wang Y, Yin T, Huang J, Wang N, Durkan C, Tan Y, Wu W, Wang G. Atherosclerosis Treatment with Stimuli-Responsive Nanoagents: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1900036. [PMID: 30945462 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201900036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the root of approximately one-third of global mortalities. Nanotechnology exhibits splendid prospects to combat atherosclerosis at the molecular level by engineering smart nanoagents with versatile functionalizations. Significant advances in nanoengineering enable nanoagents to autonomously navigate in the bloodstream, escape from biological barriers, and assemble with their nanocohort at the targeted lesion. The assembly of nanoagents with endogenous and exogenous stimuli breaks down their shells, facilitates intracellular delivery, releases their cargo to kill the corrupt cells, and gives imaging reports. All these improvements pave the way toward personalized medicine for atherosclerosis. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in stimuli-responsive nanoagents for atherosclerosis management and its progress in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Maruf
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
| | - Tieyin Yin
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
| | - Junli Huang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
| | - Nan Wang
- The Nanoscience CentreUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB3 0FF UK
| | - Colm Durkan
- The Nanoscience CentreUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB3 0FF UK
| | - Youhua Tan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong SAR 999077 China
| | - Wei Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of EducationState and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular ImplantsBioengineering College of Chongqing University Chongqing 400030 China
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Jiang Q, Liu H, Wang S, Wang J, Tang Y, He Z, Wu F, Huang Z, Cong X, Ding R, Liang C. Circadian locomotor output cycles kaput accelerates atherosclerotic plaque formation by upregulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:869-879. [PMID: 30124738 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmy087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the association between clock circadian regulator circadian locomotor output cycles kaput gene (CLOCK) and the forming of atherosclerotic plaques and its underlying mechanisms, mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) and atherosclerosis (AS) mouse model were recruited for our study. The apoE gene knockout mouse was used as the model of AS and we accelerated the formation of unstable plaques through the combination of carotid artery ligation and high-fat (HF) diet administration (0.2% cholesterol, 20% fat). The mRNA and protein expressions of CLOCK in peripheral blood monouclear cells of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients or mouse AS model were detected by qPCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The number of adherent cells and atherosclerotic plaques was counted to assess the effects of CLOCK on the progression of ACS, and adherence-associated genes, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2), and CCL-5. The results showed that CLOCK expression was significantly increased in both ACS patients and AS mouse model. The levels of CLOCK, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), perilipin 2 (ADFP), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), as well as the number of atherosclerotic plaques were elevated in the AS mouse model, as compared with the control group. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that CLOCK bound directly to the promoter of PAI-1 gene and CLOCK could positively regulate the expressions of LIF, ICAM-1, ADFP, NF-κB, and PAI-1. Reduction of CLOCK expression would decrease the expressions of VCAM-1, CCL-2, and CCL-5, and the number of adherent cells and atherosclerotic plaques, but these effects were neutralized when PAI-1 was simultaneously overexpressed in either mouse model or MAECs. Our results demonstrate that CLOCK overexpression triggers the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by directly upregulating PAI-1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixia Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengyun Wang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamei Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yehua Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqing He
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoliang Cong
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ru Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Chan CKW, Zhang L, Cheng CK, Yang H, Huang Y, Tian XY, Choi CHJ. Recent Advances in Managing Atherosclerosis via Nanomedicine. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:1702793. [PMID: 29239134 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201702793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, driven by chronic inflammation of the arteries and lipid accumulation on the blood vessel wall, underpins many cardiovascular diseases with high mortality rates globally, such as stroke and ischemic heart disease. Engineered bio-nanomaterials are now under active investigation as carriers of therapeutic and/or imaging agents to atherosclerotic plaques. This Review summarizes the latest bio-nanomaterial-based strategies for managing atherosclerosis published over the past five years, a period marked by a rapid surge in preclinical applications of bio-nanomaterials for imaging and/or treating atherosclerosis. To start, the biomarkers exploited by emerging bio-nanomaterials for targeting various components of atherosclerotic plaques are outlined. In addition, recent efforts to rationally design and screen for bio-nanomaterials with the optimal physicochemical properties for targeting plaques are presented. Moreover, the latest preclinical applications of bio-nanomaterials as carriers of imaging, therapeutic, or theranostic agents to atherosclerotic plaques are discussed. Finally, a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between bio-nanomaterials and the plaque ("athero-nano" interactions) is suggested, the opportunities and challenges in the clinical translation of bio-nanomaterials for managing atherosclerosis are discussed, and recent clinical trials for atherosclerotic nanomedicines are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ka Wing Chan
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak Kwong Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongrong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung Hang Jonathan Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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Liu HY, Zhou J, Tong H, Tang Y, Wang XF, Zhou QC. Quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques and intraplaque neovascularization using contrast-enhanced ultrasound after treatment with atorvastatin in rabbits. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 92:277-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.04.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Sun B, Zhao H, Li X, Yao H, Liu X, Lu Q, Wan J, Xu J. Angiotensin II-accelerated vulnerability of carotid plaque in a cholesterol-fed rabbit model-assessed with magnetic resonance imaging comparing to histopathology. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017; 24:495-503. [PMID: 28386172 PMCID: PMC5372370 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study sought to reveal the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced atherosclerotic vulnerability in rabbits and to determine whether in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can determine the effect of Ang II on atherosclerotic development over time. In total, 24 elderly male New Zealand white rabbits underwent an intravascular balloon injury in the left common carotid artery (LCCA) and were subsequently fed a high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. At 8 weeks, rabbits were randomly assigned to receive either Ang II (1.4 mg/kg/d, Ang II group) or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline, control) via a subcutaneous osmotic minipump for 4 weeks. The rabbits were imaged three times: at baseline and at 8 and 12 weeks. After the 12-week MRI scanning, rabbits were euthanized to obtain pathological and histological data. Atherosclerotic plaques were identified in the 21 rabbits that survived the 12-week trial. Typical feature of vulnerable plaques (VP), intraplaque hemorrhage, were observed in 6 of 10 animals (60.0%) in the Ang II group. The Cohen K value of MR imaging between the AHA classifications was 0.82 (0.73–0.91; P < 0.001). MRI revealed that the change in carotid morphology were significantly different between the Ang II and control group plaques. Our results support an important role for Ang II in plaque vulnerability by promoting intraplaque neovascularization and hemorrhage as well as inflammation. The vulnerable features induced by Ang II in rabbit carotid plaques could be accurately monitored with MRI in vivo and confirmed with histomorphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Sun
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Huilin Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiaosheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Qing Lu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Jieqing Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Jianrong Xu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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Molecular Imaging of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques in Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17091511. [PMID: 27618031 PMCID: PMC5037788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17091511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is characterized by intimal plaques of the arterial vessels that develop slowly and, in some cases, may undergo spontaneous rupture with subsequent heart attack or stroke. Currently, noninvasive diagnostic tools are inadequate to screen atherosclerotic lesions at high risk of acute complications. Therefore, the attention of the scientific community has been focused on the use of molecular imaging for identifying vulnerable plaques. Genetically engineered murine models such as ApoE−/− and ApoE−/−Fbn1C1039G+/− mice have been shown to be useful for testing new probes targeting biomarkers of relevant molecular processes for the characterization of vulnerable plaques, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, P-selectin, and integrins, and for the potential development of translational tools to identify high-risk patients who could benefit from early therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes the main animal models of vulnerable plaques, with an emphasis on genetically altered mice, and the state-of-the-art preclinical molecular imaging strategies.
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