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Updated: May 25, 2026

In vivo Near Infrared Fluorescence (NIRF) Intravascular Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Plaque, a Multimodal Approach to Imaging of Atherosclerosis
09:43

In vivo Near Infrared Fluorescence (NIRF) Intravascular Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Plaque, a Multimodal Approach to Imaging of Atherosclerosis

Published on: August 4, 2011

Molecular MRI of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis

Bernard C Te Boekhorst, Geralda A van Tilborg, Gustav J Strijkers

    Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports
    |February 7, 2012
    PubMed

    Insights

    Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualizes atherosclerotic plaque inflammation using novel contrast agents. Clinical translation hinges on ensuring the safety of these advanced MRI contrast agents for patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Imaging
    • Molecular Imaging
    • Biomedical Engineering

    Background:

    • Inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaques is a key risk factor for plaque rupture and atherothrombosis.
    • Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a method to evaluate inflammation at the subcellular level in vivo.
    • Current interventional therapies can be guided by understanding plaque inflammation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review recent advancements in contrast-enhanced molecular MRI for visualizing atherosclerotic plaque inflammation.
    • To discuss various MRI contrast agents and their applications in detecting inflammation-related targets.
    • To highlight the challenges and future directions for clinical translation of these techniques.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of literature on contrast-enhanced molecular MRI techniques for atherosclerosis.
    • Discussion of various MRI contrast agents including iron oxide nanoparticles, Gd-chelates, micelles, liposomes, and perfluorocarbons.
    • Exploration of enzyme-activatable agents and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) agents for specific targets.

    Main Results:

    • Multiple MRI contrast agents have been utilized to visualize inflammation-related targets like macrophages, oxidized LDL, and neovasculature.
    • Novel agents targeting myeloperoxidase activity and thrombus formation have been developed.
    • Progress has been made in visualizing endothelial cell expression, MMPs, and apoptosis within plaques.

    Conclusions:

    • Contrast-enhanced molecular MRI shows significant promise for evaluating atherosclerotic plaque inflammation.
    • The development of targeted MRI contrast agents enables visualization of diverse inflammation markers.
    • Clinical implementation of these molecular MRI techniques is contingent upon rigorous safety assessments of the contrast agents.

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