Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Humans , Macrophages , TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multi-contrast weighted imaging is a commonly used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol for characterization of carotid plaque composition. However, this approach is limited in several aspects including low slice resolution, long scan time, image mis-registration, and complex image interpretation. In this work, a 3D CMR technique, named Multi-contrast Atherosclerosis Characterization (MATCH), was developed to mitigate the above limitations. METHODS: MATCH employs a 3D spoiled segmented fast low angle shot readout to acquire data with three different contrast weightings in an interleaved fashion. The inherently co-registered image sets, hyper T1-weighting, gray blood, and T2-weighting, are used to detect intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH), calcification (CA), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and loose-matrix (LM). The MATCH sequence was optimized by computer simulations and testing on four healthy volunteers and then evaluated in a pilot study of six patients with carotid plaque, using the conventional multi-contrast protocol as a reference. RESULTS: On MATCH images, the major plaque components were easy to identify. Spatial co-registration between the three image sets with MATCH was particularly helpful for the reviewer to discern co-existent components in an image and appreciate their spatial relation. Based on Cohen's kappa tests, moderate to excellent agreement in the image-based or artery-based component detection between the two protocols was obtained for LRNC, IPH, CA, and LM, respectively. Compared with the conventional multi-contrast protocol, the MATCH protocol yield significantly higher signal contrast ratio for IPH (3.1±1.3 vs. 0.4±0.3, p<0.001) and CA (1.6±1.5 vs. 0.7±0.6, p=0.012) with respect to the vessel wall. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the proposed MATCH sequence is the first 3D CMR technique that acquires spatially co-registered multi-contrast image sets in a single scan for characterization of carotid plaque composition. Our pilot clinical study suggests that the MATCH-based protocol may outperform the conventional multi-contrast protocol in several respects. With further technical improvements and large-scale clinical validation, MATCH has the potential to become a CMR method for assessing the risk of plaque disruption in a clinical workup.
Subject(s)
Carotid Arteries/pathology , Carotid Stenosis/diagnosis , Contrast Media , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Aged , Algorithms , Carotid Stenosis/pathology , Computer Simulation , Feasibility Studies , Fibrosis , Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Hemorrhage/pathology , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Cardiovascular , Necrosis , Pilot Projects , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Signal-To-Noise Ratio , Vascular Calcification/diagnosis , Vascular Calcification/pathologyABSTRACT
AIM: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) interacts with macrophages and is implicated in atherogenesis. Macrophages are also the major source within the atherosclerotic plaque of tissue factor (TF), the membrane-bound glycoprotein receptor that triggers the coagulation cascade in vivo and contributes to plaque thrombogenicity. In this study we tested the hypothesis that oxLDL modulates TF expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human blood, allowed to differentiate into MDMs during 8 days in cell culture, and then exposed to varying concentrations of oxLDL in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TF procoagulant activity (TF-PCA) of MDMs was measured by one-stage recalcification clotting assay using human recombinant TF as standard. TF protein was evaluated by Western blotting, and TF mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: OxLDL at 5-10 µg/mL increased TF-PCA, TF protein, and mRNA in MDMs, whereas 20-100 µg/mL oxLDL inhibited TF-PCA, protein expression, and mRNA expression in these cells even in the face of LPS stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Low concentrations of oxLDL enhance TF expression in MDMs, whereas higher concentrations attenuate TF expression both at baseline as well as following LPS stimulation. Both TF-PCA and TF protein follow this dose-response pattern that is preceded by concordant mRNA changes. Thus, we have demonstrated modulation by oxLDL of TF protein and bioactivity in MDMs.
