Atherosclerotic plaque composition: analysis with multicolor CT and targeted gold nanoparticles.
Radiology
; 256(3): 774-82, 2010 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20668118
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To investigate the potential of spectral computed tomography (CT) (popularly referred to as multicolor CT), used in combination with a gold high-density lipoprotein nanoparticle contrast agent (Au-HDL), for characterization of macrophage burden, calcification, and stenosis of atherosclerotic plaques. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
The local animal care committee approved all animal experiments. A preclinical spectral CT system in which incident x-rays are divided into six different energy bins was used for multicolor imaging. Au-HDL, an iodine-based contrast agent, and calcium phosphate were imaged in a variety of phantoms. Apolipoprotein E knockout (apo E-KO) mice were used as the model for atherosclerosis. Gold nanoparticles targeted to atherosclerosis (Au-HDL) were intravenously injected at a dose of 500 mg per kilogram of body weight. Iodine-based contrast material was injected 24 hours later, after which the mice were imaged. Wild-type mice were used as controls. Macrophage targeting by Au-HDL was further evaluated by using transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy of aorta sections.RESULTS:
Multicolor CT enabled differentiation of Au-HDL, iodine-based contrast material, and calcium phosphate in the phantoms. Accumulations of Au-HDL were detected in the aortas of the apo E-KO mice, while the iodine-based contrast agent and the calcium-rich tissue could also be detected and thus facilitated visualization of the vasculature and bones (skeleton), respectively, during a single scanning examination. Microscopy revealed Au-HDL to be primarily localized in the macrophages on the aorta sections; hence, the multicolor CT images provided information about the macrophage burden.CONCLUSION:
Spectral CT used with carefully chosen contrast agents may yield valuable information about atherosclerotic plaque composition.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças da Aorta
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Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X
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Aterosclerose
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Nanopartículas
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Ouro
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article