High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Enhanced With Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Measures Macrophage Burden in Atherosclerosis
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Discussion
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Implication
Preclinical study demonstrates that nanoparticle-enhanced MRI quantifies arterial inflammation in rabbits, indicating a viable method for noninvasive plaque assessment.
Key Points
- To test whether high-resolution MRI enhanced with macrophage-targeted superparamagnetic nanoparticles can quantify macrophage burden and therapeutic response in atherosclerotic plaques.
- Assessed 3-T high-resolution T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo MRI using monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles-47 (MION-47) in cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbits 6 months after aortic balloon injury.
- Measured aortic wall signal intensity 72 hours post-injection, validated macrophage uptake histologically and in human primary cells, and evaluated treatment response following 3 months of rosuvastatin therapy.
- Aortic T2 signal intensity ratio significantly decreased 72 hours post-injection (1.44 ± 0.26 before vs. 0.95 ± 0.22 after; 164 slices; P<0.01), and signal loss correlated directly with histological macrophage area (r=0.73; 150 slices).
- Rosuvastatin therapy significantly lowered macrophage content (P<0.05) and reversed T2 signal intensity reduction (P<0.005), with signal changes correlating with the decrease in macrophage burden (r=0.73).
Cite This Study
Morishige et al. (2010) studied this question.