Optical and multimodality molecular imaging: insights into atherosclerosis.
Imaging approaches that visualize molecular targets rather than anatomic structures aim to illuminate vital molecular and cellular aspects of atherosclerosis biology in vivo. Several such molecular imaging strategies stand ready for rapid clinical application. This review describes the growing role of in vivo optical molecular imaging in atherosclerosis and highlights its ability to visualize atheroma inflammation, calcification, and angiogenesis. In addition, we discuss advances in multimodality probes, both in the context of multimodal imaging as well as multifunctional, or "theranostic," nanoparticles. This review highlights particular molecular imaging strategies that possess strong potential for clinical translation.
Jaffer
Farouc A
FA
Cardiovascular Research Center and Cardiology Division, Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass., USA. fjaffer@mgh.harvard.edu
Libby
Peter
P
Weissleder
Ralph
R
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
D003287:Contrast Media; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents