MRI follow-up of TNF-dependent differential progression of atherosclerotic wall-thickening in mouse aortic arch from early to advanced stages

Atherosclerosis. 2007 Dec;195(2):e93-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.06.015. Epub 2007 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objectives: An optimized, longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance vessel wall-imaging protocol was evaluated regarding its capability of detecting differences in the time-dependent atherosclerotic lesion progression in the aortic arch between ApoE(-/-) and double-deficient ApoE(-/-)/TNF(-/-) mice at comparatively early plaque development stages.

Materials and methods: Seven ApoE(-/-) and seven ApoE(-/-)/TNF(-/-) female mice underwent MRI at 11.75 teslas at four stages up to 26 weeks of age. A double-gated spin-echo MRI sequence was used with careful perpendicular slice positioning to visualize the vessel wall of the ascending aortic arch.

Results: Wall-thickness progression measured with MRI was significant at 11 weeks of age in ApoE(-/-) mice, but only at 26 weeks in ApoE(-/-)/TNF(-/-) mice. A significant correlation was found between MRI wall-thickness and lesion area determined on histology.

Conclusion: MRI was shown to be sensitive enough to reveal subtle genetically-induced differences in lesion progression at ages earlier than 25 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology*
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis* / diagnosis
  • Atherosclerosis* / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Echo-Planar Imaging*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha