Visualization of elastin using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging after myocardial infarction as inflammatory response

Figures

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  Figure 1. Elastin/tropoelastin–specific contrast agent (ESMA) cardiac MRI (A1) and Elastica van Giesson staining (A2) 7 days after permanent left anterior descending artery ligation in wild-type mice. Correlation of cardiac MRI and histology among all groups 7 days after permanent ligation (A3) (95% confidence interval).

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  Figure 2. In wild type mice, the ejection fraction was significantly lower 30 days post MI than at baseline (A). End-diastolic volume (B), end-systolic volume were increased (C), and stroke volume were decreased (D) in wild-type mice, prior to (baseline), 7 days, and 30 days after permanent ligation.

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  Figure 3. In-vivo follow up of elastin with the aid of cardiac MRI in wild-type mice 30 days after permanent ligation (A). The arrows represent ESMA uptake in exemplary images. Cardiac MRI image of CCR2-KO mice 30 days after permanent ligation (B). Cardiac MRI 30 days after permanent ligation in CX3CR1-KO mice (C). Cardiac MRI 30 days after permanent ligation in MCP-1-KO mice (D), (E) shows increased expansion index in CCR2-Ko mice compared to MCP-1-KO mice 30 days after MI as sign for increased myocardial scar with decreased ability of contraction. In (F) SNR was increased in CCR2-KO mice compared to MCP1-KO-mice 30 days after MI, although statistically not relevant also as a sign for extended myocardial scar.

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  Figure 4. Representation of cardiac remodeling with the aid of gene expression of relevant markers such as elastin 7 days (A) and 30 days (E) after permanent ligation. Expression of collagen III 7 days (B) and 30 days (F) after permanent ligation. In (B) collagen III-expression was significantly increased in wild-type mice compared to CX3CR1-KO mice, which shows early remodeling in wild type mice, but no statistically relevant difference in functional outcome, (C) represents increased monocyte-expression (F4/80) in CCR2-KO-mice compared to CX3CR1-KO mice and to MCP-1-KO mice 7 days, (G) shows monocyte-expression 30 days after MI. In (D) an increased TNF-alpha gene expression was seen in CCR2-KO mice compared to CX3CR1-KO mice, (H) represents TNF-alpha gene expression 30 days after MI.

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  Figure 5. Cardiac remodeling in a histological follow-up regarding the scar-components elastin, collagen, monocyte-occurrence and blood supply. Figure AA1 shows the Graph of elastin occurrence 7 days after permanent ligation in wild type mice, CCR2-KO mice, CX3CR1and MCP1-KO mice. Figure A1 exhibits its corresponding exemplary histological image with Elastica-van Giesson-staining. Figure AA2 represents the graph of collagen deposit 7 days after permanent ligation in wild type mice, CCR2-KO mice, CX3CR1 and MCP1-KO mice and figure A2 represents the corresponding exemplary histological image with Picrosirius red staining. Figure AA3 indicates the graph of scar formation 7 days after permanent ligation in wild type mice, CCR2-KO mice, CX3CR1 and MCP1-KO mice and figure A3 exhibits the corresponding exemplary histological image with the aid of Masson’s Trichrome staining. Figure AA4 exhibits inflammation in graphic formation 7 days after permanent ligation in wild type mice, CCR2-KO mice, CX3CR1 and MCP1-KO mice and figure A4 its corresponding exemplary histological image with F4/80 staining. Figure AA5 shows the occurrence of new vessel formation in graphical order 7 days after permanent…

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  Figure 6. Project timeline.