In vivo volumetric intravascular ultrasound visualization of early/inflammatory arterial atheroma using targeted echogenic immunoliposomes.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to demonstrate three-dimensional (3D) visualization of early/inflammatory arterial atheroma using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and targeted echogenic immunoliposomes (ELIP). IVUS can be used as a molecular imaging modality with the use of targeted contrast agents for atheroma detection. Three-dimensional reconstruction of 2-dimensional IVUS images may provide improved atheroma visualization.


METHODS
Atheroma were induced in arteries of Yucatan miniswine (n = 5) by endothelial cell denudation followed by a 4-week high cholesterol diet. The contralateral arteries were left intact and served as controls. Anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and generic gammaglobulin (IgG) conjugated ELIP were prepared. Arteries were imaged using IVUS before and after ELIP injection. Images were digitized, manually traced, segmented, and placed in tomographic sequence for 3D visualization. Atheroma brightness enhancement was compared and reported as mean gray scale values. Plaque volume was quantified both from IVUS and histologic images.


RESULTS
Anti-ICAM-1 ELIP highlighting of the atheroma in all arterial segments was different compared with baseline (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the mean gray scale values with IgG-ELIP. Arterial 3D IVUS images allowed visualization of the entire plaque distribution. The highlighted plaque/atheroma volume with anti-ICAM-1 ELIP was greater than baseline (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates specific highlighting of early/inflammatory atheroma in vivo using anti-ICAM-1 ELIP. Three-dimensional IVUS reconstruction provides good visualization of plaque distribution in the arterial wall. This novel methodology may help to detect and diagnose pathophysiologic development of all stages of atheroma formation in vivo and quantitate plaque volume for serial and long-term atherosclerotic treatment studies.
Kim
Hyunggun
H
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. hyunggun.kim@uth.tmc.edu
Moody
Melanie R
MR
Laing
Susan T
ST
Kee
Patrick H
PH
Huang
Shao-Ling
SL
Klegerman
Melvin E
ME
McPherson
David D
DD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D008081:Liposomes; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008081:Liposomes; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1