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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice
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Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: January 13, 2012

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Molecular imaging of MMP activity discriminates unstable from stable plaque phenotypes in shear-stress induced murine

Robert Seifert1,2, Michael T Kuhlmann1, Sarah Eligehausen1

  • 1European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Plos One
|October 11, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) imaging effectively identified unstable atherosclerotic plaques in mice. This molecular imaging approach visualizes differences in MMP activity, aiding in the characterization of rupture-prone plaques.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is a major cause of ischemic events.
  • Identifying unstable plaques for prevention is a clinical challenge.
  • Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in plaque destabilization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate MMP imaging for discriminating unstable from stable atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes.
  • To assess the utility of MMP inhibitor-based photoprobes in atherosclerosis research.

Main Methods:

  • ApoE deficient mice were used with a cuff model to induce unstable (upstream) and stable (downstream) plaques.
  • MMP inhibitor-based photoprobe (Cy5.5-AF443) was administered intravenously.
  • In situ and ex vivo fluorescence reflectance imaging, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were performed.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher Cy5.5-AF443 uptake was observed in unstable plaques compared to stable plaques.
  • Unstable plaques showed increased presence of macrophages, MMP-2, and MMP-9.
  • MMP-2 concentrations were significantly elevated in unstable plaques.

Conclusions:

  • MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities are significantly higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques.
  • MMP inhibitor-based fluorescence molecular imaging can visualize differences in shear stress-induced atherosclerosis.
  • This imaging modality holds promise for characterizing rupture-prone plaques.

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