Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Contrast-enhanced MRI of murine myocardial infarction - part I
Tessa Geelen1, Leonie E M Paulis, Bram F Coolen
1Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
The use of contrast agents has added considerable value to the existing cardiac MRI toolbox that can be used to study murine myocardial infarction, as it enables detailed in vivo visualization of the molecular and cellular processes that occur in the infarcted and remote tissue. A variety of non-targeted and targeted contrast agents to study myocardial infarction are available and under development. Manganese, which acts as a calcium analogue, can be used to assess cell viability. Traditionally, low-molecular-weight Gd-containing contrast agents are employed to measure infarct size in a late gadolinium enhancement experiment. Gd-based blood-pool agents are used to study the vascular status of the myocardium. The use of targeted contrast agents facilitates more detailed imaging of pathophysiological processes in the acute and chronic infarct. Cell death was visualized by contrast agents functionalized with annexin A5 that binds specifically to phosphatidylserine accessible on dying cells and with an agent that binds to the exposed DNA of dead cells. Inflammation in the myocardium was depicted by contrast agents that target cell adhesion molecules expressed on activated endothelium, by contrast agents that are phagocytosed by inflammatory cells, and by using a probe that targets enzymes excreted by inflammatory cells. Cardiac remodeling processes were visualized with a contrast agent that binds to angiogenic vasculature and with an MR probe that specifically binds to collagen in the fibrotic myocardium. These recent advances in murine contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI have made a substantial contribution to the visualization of the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, cardiac remodeling processes and the progression to heart failure, which helps to design new treatments. This review discusses the advances and challenges in the development and application of MRI contrast agents to study murine myocardial infarction.
Insights
Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI using targeted agents offers detailed in vivo visualization of molecular and cellular processes in murine myocardial infarction, aiding new treatment development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Cardiac MRI is crucial for studying myocardial infarction (MI).
- Contrast agents enhance in vivo visualization of molecular and cellular events in infarcted and remote tissues.
- Diverse non-targeted and targeted contrast agents exist for MI research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances and challenges in MRI contrast agent development for murine myocardial infarction.
- To highlight how contrast agents enable detailed visualization of pathophysiological processes in MI.
- To discuss the contribution of these agents to understanding cardiac remodeling and heart failure progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized manganese as a calcium analogue for cell viability assessment.
- Employed traditional low-molecular-weight Gadolinium (Gd)-containing agents for infarct size measurement (Late Gadolinium Enhancement).
- Applied Gd-based blood-pool agents for vascular status evaluation.
- Featured targeted agents functionalized with annexin A5 or DNA-binding agents to visualize cell death.
- Incorporated contrast agents targeting cell adhesion molecules, phagocytosis by inflammatory cells, or excreted enzymes to depict inflammation.
- Showcased agents binding to angiogenic vasculature or collagen for visualizing cardiac remodeling.
Main Results:
- Targeted contrast agents provide detailed imaging of acute and chronic MI pathophysiology.
- Specific agents successfully visualized cell death, inflammation, and cardiac remodeling processes.
- Advances in contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI significantly contribute to understanding MI progression and heart failure.
Conclusions:
- Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI with targeted agents is a powerful tool for studying murine myocardial infarction.
- These agents facilitate in vivo visualization of complex molecular and cellular changes, aiding therapeutic development.
- Ongoing development and application of novel contrast agents are critical for advancing cardiovascular research.
