In vivo assessment of aortic aneurysm wall integrity using elastin-specifc molecular magnetic resonance imaging

Botnar RM, Wiethoff AJ, Ebersberger U, Lacerda S, Blume U, Warley A, Jansen CHP, Onthank DC, Cesati RR, Razavi R, Marber MS, Hamm B, Schaeffter T, Robinson SP, Makowski MR (2014)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging American Heart Association

Book Volume: 7

Pages Range: 679-689

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.113.001131

Abstract

Background-The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has increased during the last decades. However, there is still controversy about the management of medium-sized AAAs. Therefore, novel biomarkers, besides aneurysmal diameter, are needed to assess aortic wall integrity and risk of rupture. Elastin is the key protein for maintaining aortic wall tensile strength and stability. The progressive breakdown of structural proteins, in particular, medial elastin, is responsible for the inability of the aortic wall to withstand intraluminal hemodynamic forces. Here, we evaluate the usefulness of elastin-specifc molecular MRI for the in vivo characterization of AAAs. Methods and Results-To induce AAAs, ApoE-/- mice were infused with angiotensin-II. An elastin-specifc magnetic resonance molecular imaging agent (ESMA) was administered after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of angiotensin-II infusion to assess elastin composition of the aorta (n=8 per group). The high signal provided by ESMA allowed for imaging with high spatial resolution, resulting in an accurate assessment of ruptured elastic laminae and the compensatory expression of elastic fbers. In vivo contrast-to-noise ratios and R1-relaxation rates after ESMA administration were in good agreement with ex vivo histomorphometry (Elastica van Gieson stain) and gadolinium concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Electron microscopy confrmed colocalization of ESMA with elastic fbers. Conclusions-Changes in elastin content could be readily delineated and quantifed at different stages of AAAs by elastin-specifc molecular magnetic resonance imaging. ESMA-MRI offers potential for the noninvasive detection of the aortic rupture site prior to dilation of the aorta and the subsequent in vivo monitoring of compensatory repair processes during the progression of AAAs. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Involved external institutions

King’s College London GB United Kingdom (GB) Deutsches Herzzentrum München DE Germany (DE) Lantheus Medical Imaging US United States (USA) (US) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Botnar, R.M., Wiethoff, A.J., Ebersberger, U., Lacerda, S., Blume, U., Warley, A.,... Makowski, M.R. (2014). In vivo assessment of aortic aneurysm wall integrity using elastin-specifc molecular magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, 7(4), 679-689. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.113.001131

MLA:

Botnar, Rene M., et al. "In vivo assessment of aortic aneurysm wall integrity using elastin-specifc molecular magnetic resonance imaging." Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging 7.4 (2014): 679-689.

BibTeX: Download