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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Non-invasive In Vivo Fluorescence Optical Imaging of Inflammatory MMP Activity Using an Activatable Fluorescent Imaging Agent
Published on: May 8, 2017
Matrix-metalloproteinases as imaging targets for inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaques
Michael Schäfers1, Otmar Schober, Sven Hermann
1European Institute for Molecular Imaging-EIMI, Münster, Germany. schafmi@uni-muenster.de
Insights
New imaging techniques targeting matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) show promise for assessing cardiovascular event risk. Visualizing inflammation in blood vessels could personalize prevention strategies for myocardial infarction and stroke.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical imaging
- Cardiovascular research
- Molecular imaging
Background:
- Atherosclerosis underlies most global deaths from myocardial infarction and stroke.
- Inflammation in vessel walls is a key factor in plaque progression and rupture.
- Current risk assessment for cardiovascular events has limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical rationale for imaging matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs).
- To discuss the potential of MMP-targeted imaging for cardiovascular risk stratification.
- To summarize the current status of MMP imaging in the context of stroke and myocardial infarction.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on MMPs in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of imaging strategies targeting MMPs.
- Clinical perspective on the application of MMP imaging.
Main Results:
- Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in plaque vulnerability.
- Targeting MMPs offers a promising avenue for molecular imaging of atherosclerotic disease.
- Imaging MMPs could enable earlier detection and personalized prevention of cardiovascular events.
Conclusions:
- MMP-targeted imaging represents a significant advancement in cardiovascular diagnostics.
- This approach has the potential to improve individualized risk assessment for myocardial infarction and stroke.
- Further clinical translation of MMP imaging is warranted to realize its full potential in preventing cardiovascular mortality.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or stroke resulting from atherosclerosis still account for the majority of deaths worldwide. New imaging approaches focusing on the visualization of inflammation in the vessel wall may emerge as tools for individualized risk assessment and prevention of events. Enzymes such as matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in several steps in plaque progression driving plaques into vulnerable, rupture-prone states. Targeting of MMPs for imaging is therefore a promising strategy. The rationale, potential, and current status of imaging MMPs in the clinical context of stroke and myocardial infarction are reviewed here from a clinical viewpoint.
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