Molecular imaging of stretch-induced tissue factor expression in carotid arteries with intravascular ultrasound.
Lanza GM, Abendschein DR, Hall CS, Marsh JN, Scott MJ, Scherrer DE, Wickline SA.
Department of Medicine, Washington University Medical School, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. greg@soundlab.wustl.edu
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Molecular imaging with targeted contrast agents enables tissues to be distinguished by detecting specific cell-surface receptors. In the present study, a ligand-targeted acoustic nanoparticle system is used to identify angioplasty-induced expression of tissue factor by smooth muscle cells within carotid arteries. METHODS: Pig carotid arteries were overstretched with balloon catheters, treated with tissue factor-targeted or a control nanoparticle system, and imaged with intravascular ultrasound before and after treatment. RESULTS: Tissue factor-targeted emulsions bound and increased the echogenicity and gray-scale levels of overstretched smooth muscle cells within the tunica media, versus no change in contralateral control arteries. Expression of stretch-induced tissue factor in carotid artery media was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for abnormal thrombogenicity of balloon-injured arteries, as reflected by smooth muscle expression of tissue factor, was imaged using a novel, targeted, nanoparticulate ultrasonic contrast agent.
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PMID: 10764091 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]