Optical and multimodality molecular imaging: insights into atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Molecular Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional imaging focuses on anatomy, limiting understanding of atherosclerosis's molecular underpinnings.
• Atherosclerosis involves complex molecular and cellular processes crucial for disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of in vivo optical molecular imaging in atherosclerosis research.
• To highlight imaging strategies with potential for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current in vivo optical molecular imaging techniques for atherosclerosis.
• Discussion of multimodal probes and theranostic nanoparticles.

Main Results:

• In vivo optical molecular imaging visualizes atheroma inflammation, calcification, and angiogenesis.
• Advances in multimodal and multifunctional probes are enhancing imaging capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imaging offers a powerful approach to study atherosclerosis in vivo.
• Several molecular imaging strategies are poised for clinical application, improving diagnostic and therapeutic potential.