title: Multimodal optoacoustic and multiphoton microscopy of human carotid atheroma.
abstract: Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a main cause of stroke. Understanding atherosclerosis biology is critical in the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Consequently, there is demand for advanced tools investigating atheroma pathology. We consider hybrid optoacoustic and multiphoton microscopy for the integrated and complementary interrogation of plaque tissue constituents and their mutual interactions. Herein, we visualize human carotid plaque using a hybrid multimodal imaging system that combines optical resolution optoacoustic (photoacoustic) microscopy, second and third harmonic generation microscopy, and two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. Our data suggest more comprehensive insights in the pathophysiology of atheroma formation and destabilization, by enabling congruent visualization of structural and biological features critical for the atherosclerotic process and its acute complications, such as red blood cells and collagen.
authors.affiliation: Chair for Biological Imaging, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.affiliation: Chair for Biological Imaging, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Cardiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karlas
authors.affiliation: Chair for Biological Imaging, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pelisek
authors.affiliation: Chair for Biological Imaging, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ntziachristos
keywords: BF, Brightfield; CAE, Carotid thrombendarterectomy; CMR, Continuous multirecord; Collagen; DAQ, Data acquisition; FOV, Field of view; GM, Galvanometric mirrors; HE, Hemalaun-Eosin; Human carotid atheroma; IPH, Intraplaque hemorrhage; LDL, Low density lipoprotein; MAP, Maximum amplitude projection; MPM, Multiphoton microscopy; MPOM, Multiphoton and optoacoustic microscopy; Multimodal microscopy; NLO, Non-linear optical; Non-linear optical microscopy; OAM, Optoacoustic microscopy; Optoacoustic microscopy; PMT, Photo multiplier tube; PSR, Picro-Sirius Red; Photoacoustic microscopy; RBC, Red blood cell; ROI, Region of interest; Red blood cells; SHG, Second harmonic generation; SMC, Smooth muscle cell; THG, Third harmonic generation; TPEF, Two-photon excitation fluorescence