scholarly journals Automatic Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT Scans of Mouse Aortas Ex Vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Vincent A. Stadelmann ◽  
Gabrielle Boyd ◽  
Martin Guillot ◽  
Jean-Guy Bienvenu ◽  
Charles Glaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Automatic Segmentation ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Automatic Quantification ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Volumetric Quantification ◽  
Threshold Algorithms

Objective. While microCT evaluation of atherosclerotic lesions in mice has been formally validated, existing image processing methods remain undisclosed. We aimed to develop and validate a reproducible image processing workflow based on phosphotungstic acid-enhanced microCT scans for the volumetric quantification of atherosclerotic lesions in entire mouse aortas. Approach and Results. 42 WT and 42 apolipoprotein E knockout mouse aortas were scanned. The walls, lumen, and plaque objects were segmented using dual-threshold algorithms. Aortic and plaque volumes were computed by voxel counting and lesion surface by triangulation. The results were validated against manual and histological evaluations. Knockout mice had a significant increase in plaque volume compared to wild types with a plaque to aorta volume ratio of 0.3%, 2.8%, and 9.8% at weeks 13, 18, and 26, respectively. Automatic segmentation correlated with manual ( r 2 ≥ 0.89 ; p < .001 ) and histological evaluations ( r 2 > 0.96 ; p < .001 ). Conclusions. The semiautomatic workflow enabled rapid quantification of atherosclerotic plaques in mice with minimal manual work.

scholarly journals Improved Detection of Molecular Markers of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Sub-Millimeter PET Imaging

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bridoux ◽  
Sara Neyt ◽  
Pieterjan Debie ◽  
Benedicte Descamps ◽  
Nick Devoogdt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Radiochemical Yield ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complexing Agent ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Pet Ct

Since atherosclerotic plaques are small and sparse, their non-invasive detection via PET imaging requires both highly specific radiotracers as well as imaging systems with high sensitivity and resolution. This study aimed to assess the targeting and biodistribution of a novel fluorine-18 anti-VCAM-1 Nanobody (Nb), and to investigate whether sub-millimetre resolution PET imaging could improve detectability of plaques in mice. The anti-VCAM-1 Nb functionalised with the novel restrained complexing agent (RESCA) chelator was labelled with [18F]AlF with a high radiochemical yield (>75%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). Subsequently, [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 was injected in ApoE−/− mice, or co-injected with excess of unlabelled Nb (control group). Mice were imaged sequentially using a cross-over design on two different commercially available PET/CT systems and finally sacrificed for ex vivo analysis. Both the PET/CT images and ex vivo data showed specific uptake of [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 in atherosclerotic lesions. Non-specific bone uptake was also noticeable, most probably due to in vivo defluorination. Image analysis yielded higher target-to-heart and target-to-brain ratios with the β-CUBE (MOLECUBES) PET scanner, demonstrating that preclinical detection of atherosclerotic lesions could be improved using the latest PET technology.

scholarly journals Biodistribution of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Mice Atherosclerotic Model

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (19) ◽  
pp. 3499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devel ◽  
Almer ◽  
Cabella ◽  
Beau ◽  
Bernes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colloidal Stability ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Nanostructured Lipid Carriers ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Particle Uptake ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Physico Chemical

Atherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular disease worldwide, that could benefit from innovative nanomedicine imaging tools and treatments. In this perspective, we here studied, by fluorescence imaging in ApoE-/- mice, the biodistribution of non-functionalized and RXP470.1-targeted nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) loaded with DiD dye. RXP470.1 specifically binds to MMP12, a metalloprotease that is over-expressed by macrophages residing in atherosclerotic plaques. Physico-chemical characterizations showed that RXP-NLC (about 105 RXP470.1 moieties/particle) displayed similar features as non-functionalized NLC in terms of particle diameter (about 60-65 nm), surface charge (about −5 — −10 mV), and colloidal stability. In vitro inhibition assays demonstrated that RXP-NLC conserved a selectivity and affinity profile, which favored MMP-12. In vivo data indicated that NLC and RXP-NLC presented prolonged blood circulation and accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions in a few hours. Twenty-four hours after injection, particle uptake in atherosclerotic plaques of the brachiocephalic artery was similar for both nanoparticles, as assessed by ex vivo imaging. This suggests that the RXP470.1 coating did not significantly induce an active targeting of the nanoparticles within the plaques. Overall, NLCs appeared to be very promising nanovectors to efficiently and specifically deliver imaging agents or drugs in atherosclerotic lesions, opening avenues for new nanomedicine strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

scholarly journals Cell-Based Models for Development of Antiatherosclerotic Therapies

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Emile R. Zakiev ◽  
Nikita G. Nikiforov ◽  
Alexander N. Orekhov
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorder ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Atherosclerosis Progression ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Plaque Development ◽  
Atherosclerosis Development

The leading cause of death worldwide is cardiovascular disease. Among the conditions related to the term, the most prominent one is the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries. The situation gets even worse with the fact that the plaque development may stay asymptomatic for a prolonged period of time. When it manifests as a cardiovascular disorder, it is already too late: the unfortunate individual is prescribed with a plethora of synthetic drugs, which are of debatable efficacy in the prevention of atherosclerotic lesions and safety. Cell models could be useful for the purpose of screening substances potentially effective against atherosclerosis progression and effective in reduction of already present plaques. In this overview, we present studies making use of in vitro and ex vivo models of atherosclerosis development that can prove valuable for clinical applications.

scholarly journals Porcine Ex Vivo Liver Phantom for Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 586-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Thompson ◽  
Juan C. Ramirez-Giraldo ◽  
Bruce Knudsen ◽  
Joseph P. Grande ◽  
Jodie A. Christner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dynamic Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Enhanced Computed Tomography ◽  
Liver Phantom ◽  
Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography

scholarly journals A Voxel-Map Quantitative Analysis Approach for Atherosclerotic Noncalcified Plaques of the Coronary Artery Tree

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Li ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Kaijun Liu ◽  
Yi Wu ◽  
Yonglin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
Map Analysis ◽  
Coronary Artery Tree

Noncalcified plaques (NCPs) are associated with the presence of lipid-core plaques that are prone to rupture. Thus, it is important to detect and monitor the development of NCPs. Contrast-enhanced coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) is a potential imaging technique to identify atherosclerotic plaques in the whole coronary tree, but it fails to provide information about vessel walls. In order to overcome the limitations of coronary CTA and provide more meaningful quantitative information for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we proposed a Voxel-Map based on mathematical morphology to quantitatively analyze the noncalcified plaques on a three-dimensional coronary artery wall model (3D-CAWM). This approach is a combination of Voxel-Map analysis techniques, plaque locating, and anatomical location related labeling, which show more detailed and comprehensive coronary tree wall visualization.

Abstract 2771: Incidence of High Risk Atherosclerotic Lesions in Intracranial and Extracranial Carotid Arteries in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A 3.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xihai Zhao ◽  
Huilin Zhao ◽  
Feiyu Li ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Ye Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cerebral Artery ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Slice Thickness ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Vascular Beds

Introduction Rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in the intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries could trigger ischemic stroke. However, the incidence of high risk atherosclerotic lesions in these vascular beds is not well known. This study sought to investigate the incidence of high risk atherosclerotic lesions in intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries in stroke patients using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods Seventy-five patients (mean age 62.7 years, 56 males) with acute ischemic stroke underwent MR imaging for index carotid arteries, assigned as the same side as the brain lesions, with a Philips 3.0T MR scanner. Intracranial carotid MR angiography was performed using 3D TOF sequence with FOV of 23 × 23 cm 2 , matrix of 256 × 256, and a slice thickness of 1mm. The multi-contrast vessel wall images (3D TOF, T1W, T2W, and MP-RAGE) were acquired for extracranial carotid arteries with FOV of 14 × 14 cm 2 , matrix of 256 × 256, and slice thickness of 2 mm. The intracranial artery includes middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA). The extracranial carotid artery was divided into internal carotid artery (ICA), bulb, and common carotid artery (CCA). Luminal stenosis for each intracranial and extracranial carotid segment was measured and graded (normal or mild = 0-29%, moderate =30-69%, severe=70-99%). Normalized wall index (NWI = wall area/total vessel area × 100%), and presence/absence of calcification, lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and/or fibrous cap rupture in each extracranial carotid segment were determined. Results MCAs developed more severe stenotic lesions (24.6%), followed by extracranial carotids (16.5%), PCAs (5.4%), and ACAs (4.1%) in stroke patients ( Figure 1 A). For extracranial carotid arteries, ICAs showed the largest plaque burden as measured by NWI (44.3%±13.1%), followed by bulbs (39.4%±13%), and CCAs (37%±6.8%). Compared to CCAs, ICAs and bulb regions had more LRNCs (38.4% and 49.3% for ICA and bulb respectively) and IPH and/or rupture (11% and 9.6% for ICA and bulb respectively) ( Figure 1 B). Conclusions In patients with acute ischemic stroke, high risk atherosclerotic plaques can be found in both intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries, particularly in the MCA, ICA and bulb regions. Compared to extracranial carotid arteries, intracranial arteries develop more high risk lesions. The findings of this study suggest the necessity for early screening to detect high risk atherosclerotic lesions in these carotid vascular beds prior to cerebravascular events.

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