Modified lipoproteins as contrast agents for imaging of atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT

The ability to detect and characterize atherosclerosis with targeted contrast agents may enable initiation of therapy for atherosclerotic lesions prior to becoming symptomatic. Since lipoproteins such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) play a critical role in the regulation of plaque biology through the transport of lipids into and out of atherosclerotic lesions, modifying HDL and LDL with radioisotopes for nuclear imaging, chelates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other possible contrast agents for computed tomography imaging techniques may aid in the detection and characterization of atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the literature employing lipoproteins as contrast agents for imaging atherosclerosis and the feasibility of this approach.