Imaging of small animal peripheral artery disease models: recent advancements and translational potential

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 May 18;16(5):11131-77. doi: 10.3390/ijms160511131.

Abstract

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a broad disorder encompassing multiple forms of arterial disease outside of the heart. As such, PAD development is a multifactorial process with a variety of manifestations. For example, aneurysms are pathological expansions of an artery that can lead to rupture, while ischemic atherosclerosis reduces blood flow, increasing the risk of claudication, poor wound healing, limb amputation, and stroke. Current PAD treatment is often ineffective or associated with serious risks, largely because these disorders are commonly undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Active areas of research are focused on detecting and characterizing deleterious arterial changes at early stages using non-invasive imaging strategies, such as ultrasound, as well as emerging technologies like photoacoustic imaging. Earlier disease detection and characterization could improve interventional strategies, leading to better prognosis in PAD patients. While rodents are being used to investigate PAD pathophysiology, imaging of these animal models has been underutilized. This review focuses on structural and molecular information and disease progression revealed by recent imaging efforts of aortic, cerebral, and peripheral vascular disease models in mice, rats, and rabbits. Effective translation to humans involves better understanding of underlying PAD pathophysiology to develop novel therapeutics and apply non-invasive imaging techniques in the clinic.

Keywords: aneurysm; atherosclerosis; computed tomography; ischemia; magnetic resonance; optical imaging; peripheral artery disease; small animal model; stroke; ultrasound.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Aortic Diseases / pathology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Optical Imaging
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / pathology*
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography