title: Gadospin F-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and monitoring of atherosclerosis: validation with transmission electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence imaging in the apolipoprotein e-deficient mouse.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of noninvasive monitoring of plaque burden in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice by Gadospin F (GDF)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Gadolinium uptake in plaques was controlled using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy. To monitor the progression of atherosclerosis, ApoE-/- (n  =  5) and wild-type (n  =  2) mice were fed a Western diet and imaged at 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks. Contrast-enhanced MRI was performed at 7 T Clinscan (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany) before and 2 hours after intravenous injection of GDF (100 μmol/kg) to determine the blood clearance. Plaque size and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated for each time point using region of interest measurements to evaluate plaque progression. Following MRI, aortas were excised and GDF uptake was cross-validated by TEM and XRF microscopy. The best signal enhancement in aortic plaque was achieved 2 hours after application of GDF. No signal differences between pre- and postcontrast MRI were detectable in wild-type mice. We observed a gradual and considerable increase in plaque CNR and size for the different disease stages. TEM and XRF microscopy confirmed the localization of GDF within the plaque. GDF-enhanced MRI allows noninvasive and reliable estimation of plaque burden and monitoring of atherosclerotic progression in vivo.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dučić
authors.forename: Rudolph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koziolek
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kording
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ittrich
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kaul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D003287:Contrast Media; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D005682:Gadolinium