Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6486513 | Biomaterials | 2015 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) using microbubble agents is a promising non-invasive imaging technique to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we decipher the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeted-CEU with soluble glycoprotein (GP)-VI in vivo. Microbubbles were conjugated with the recombinant fusion protein GPVI-Fc (MBGPVI) that binds with high affinity to atherosclerotic lesions. MBGPVI or control microbubbles (MBC) were intravenously administered into ApoEâ/â or wild type mice and binding of the microbubbles to the vessel wall was visualized by high-resolution CEU. CEU molecular imaging signals of MBGPVI were substantially enhanced in the aortic arch and in the truncus brachiocephalicus in ApoEâ/â as compared to wild type mice. High-frequency ultrasound (HFU)-guided disruption of MBGPVI enhanced accumulation of GPVI in the atherosclerotic lesions, which may interfere with atheroprogression. Thus, we establish targeted-CEU with soluble GPVI as a novel non-invasive molecular imaging method for atherosclerosis. Further, HFU-guided disruption of GPVI-targeted microbubbles is an innovate therapeutic approach that potentially prevents progression of atherosclerotic disease.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Bioengineering
Authors
Katja Metzger, Sebastian Vogel, Madhumita Chatterjee, Oliver Borst, Peter Seizer, Tanja Schönberger, Tobias Geisler, Florian Lang, Harald Langer, Johannes Rheinlaender, Tilman E. Schäffer, Meinrad Gawaz,