Live Observation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Disruption in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mouse.
Ultrasound Int Open 2016;
1:E67-71. [PMID:
27689156 DOI:
10.1055/s-0035-1565092]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM
The actual occurrence of spontaneous plaque rupture in mice has been a matter of debate. We report on an in vivo observation of the actual event of possible plaque disruption in a living ApoE(-/-) mouse.
METHODS AND RESULTS
During live contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of a 50-week-old ApoE(-/-) male mouse, symptoms suggesting plaque disruption in the brachiocephalic artery were observed. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of advanced atherosclerotic lesions with dissections and intraplaque hemorrhage in the affected brachiocephalic trunk, pointing towards plaque rupture as the cause of the observed event. However, we did not detect a luminal thrombus or cap rupture, which is a key criterion for plaque rupture in human atherosclerosis.
CONCLUSION
This study reports the real-time occurrence of a possible plaque rupture in a living ApoE(-/-) mouse.
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