-
TheScientificWorldJournal 2013Current laboratory research in the field of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease often utilizes small animal experimental models induced by genetic manipulation or... (Review)
Review
Current laboratory research in the field of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease often utilizes small animal experimental models induced by genetic manipulation or chemical application. This has led to the use and development of multiple high-resolution molecular imaging modalities capable of tracking disease progression, quantifying the role of inflammation, and evaluating the effects of potential therapeutics. In vivo imaging reduces the number of research animals used, provides molecular and cellular information, and allows for longitudinal studies, a necessity when tracking vessel expansion in a single animal. This review outlines developments of both established and emerging molecular imaging techniques used to study AAA disease. Beyond the typical modalities used for anatomical imaging, which include ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT), previous molecular imaging efforts have used magnetic resonance (MR), near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF), bioluminescence, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Mouse and rat AAA models will hopefully provide insight into potential disease mechanisms, and the development of advanced molecular imaging techniques, if clinically useful, may have translational potential. These efforts could help improve the management of aneurysms and better evaluate the therapeutic potential of new treatments for human AAA disease.
Topics: Animals; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mice; Molecular Imaging; Rats
PubMed: 23737735
DOI: 10.1155/2013/973150 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Dec 2010Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease, which still has the leading position in morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Many risk factors and... (Review)
Review
Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease, which still has the leading position in morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Many risk factors and pathobiological processes are acting together in the development of atherosclerosis. This leads to different remodelling stages (positive and negative) which are both associated with plaque physiology and clinical presentation. The different remodelling stages of atherosclerosis are explained with their clinical relevance. Recent advances in basic science have established that atherosclerosis is not only a lipid storage disease, but that also inflammation has a fundamental role in all stages of the disease. The molecular events leading to atherosclerosis will be extensively reviewed and described. Further on in this review different modalities and their role in the different stages of atherosclerosis will be discussed. Non-nuclear invasive imaging techniques (intravascular ultrasound, intravascular MRI, intracoronary angioscopy and intravascular optical coherence tomography) and non-nuclear non-invasive imaging techniques (ultrasound with Doppler flow, electron-bean computed tomography, coronary computed tomography angiography, MRI and coronary artery MR angiography) will be reviewed. After that we focus on nuclear imaging techniques for detecting atherosclerotic plaques, divided into three groups: atherosclerotic lesion components, inflammation and thrombosis. This emerging area of nuclear imaging techniques can provide measures of biological activity of atherosclerotic plaques, thereby improving the prediction of clinical events. As we will see in the future perspectives, at present, there is no special tracer that can be called the diagnostic tool to diagnose prospective stroke or infarction in patients. Nevertheless, we expect such a tracer to be developed in the next few years and maybe, theoretically, it could even be used for targeted therapy (in the form of a beta-emitter) to combat cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 20306036
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-010-1406-4 -
Kidney International Sep 2017In this review, we will highlight technologies that enable scientists to study the molecular characteristics of tissues and/or cells without the need for antibodies or... (Review)
Review
In this review, we will highlight technologies that enable scientists to study the molecular characteristics of tissues and/or cells without the need for antibodies or other labeling techniques. Specifically, we will focus on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.
Topics: Humans; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Molecular Imaging; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Vibration
PubMed: 28750926
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.03.052 -
Arthritis Research & Therapy Apr 2014Early diagnosis and effective monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are important for a positive outcome. Instant treatment often results in faster reduction of... (Review)
Review
Early diagnosis and effective monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are important for a positive outcome. Instant treatment often results in faster reduction of inflammation and, as a consequence, less structural damage. Anatomical imaging techniques have been in use for a long time, facilitating diagnosis and monitoring of RA. However, mere imaging of anatomical structures provides little information on the processes preceding changes in synovial tissue, cartilage, and bone. Molecular imaging might facilitate more effective diagnosis and monitoring in addition to providing new information on the disease pathogenesis. A limiting factor in the development of new molecular imaging techniques is the availability of suitable probes. Here, we review which cells and molecules can be targeted in the RA joint and discuss the advances that have been made in imaging of arthritis with a focus on such molecular targets as folate receptor, F4/80, macrophage mannose receptor, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, phosphatidylserine, and matrix metalloproteinases. In addition, we discuss a new tool that is being introduced in the field, namely the use of nanobodies as tracers. Finally, we describe additional molecules displaying specific features in joint inflammation and propose these as potential new molecular imaging targets, more specifically receptor activator of nuclear factor κB and its ligand, chemokine receptors, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, αVβ₃ integrin, P2X7 receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, and osteoclast-stimulatory transmembrane protein.
Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Biomarkers; Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 25099015
DOI: 10.1186/ar4542 -
Trends in Biotechnology Jul 2017in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLi) is an optical molecular imaging technique used to visualize molecular and cellular processes in health and diseases and to follow... (Review)
Review
in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLi) is an optical molecular imaging technique used to visualize molecular and cellular processes in health and diseases and to follow the fate of cells with high sensitivity using luciferase-based gene reporters. The high sensitivity of this technique arises from efficient photon production, followed by the reaction between luciferase enzymes and luciferin substrates. Novel discoveries and developments of luciferase reporters, substrates, and gene-editing techniques, and emerging fields of applications, promise a new era of deeper and more sensitive molecular imaging.
Topics: Firefly Luciferin; Gene Editing; Genes, Reporter; Luciferases; Luminescent Measurements; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 28501458
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.012 -
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Jul 2020Atherosclerosis is the major underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases, the prevalence of which is continuously increasing, thus currently standing as the leading... (Review)
Review
Atherosclerosis is the major underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases, the prevalence of which is continuously increasing, thus currently standing as the leading global cause of death. This pathology gradually develops over the course of 50 or more years throughout the life of an individual under the influence of a vast number of factors, both environmental and pathophysiological. This wealth of factors has elicited much research into molecular imaging, with purely diagnostic purposes or with the hope of engineering an efficient theranostic tool. To these ends, diverse nanomaterials with desirable, tunable properties have been explored by different teams, as described in this review.
Topics: Atherosclerosis; Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 32604420
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1701019 -
Philosophical Transactions. Series A,... Nov 2017Molecular imaging (MI), used in its wider sense of biology at the molecular level, is a field that lies at the intersection of molecular biology and traditional medical... (Review)
Review
Molecular imaging (MI), used in its wider sense of biology at the molecular level, is a field that lies at the intersection of molecular biology and traditional medical imaging. As advances in medicine have exponentially expanded over the last few decades, so has our need to better understand the fundamental behaviour of living organisms in a non-invasive and timely manner. This commentary draws from topics the authors addressed in their presentations at the 2017 Royal Society Meeting 'Challenges for chemistry in molecular imaging', as well as a discussion of where MI is today and where it is heading in the future.This article is part of the themed issue 'Challenges for chemistry in molecular imaging'.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Inflammation; Molecular Imaging; Molecular Probe Techniques; Molecular Probes; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Multimodal Imaging; Precision Medicine; Surgery, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 29038378
DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2017.0023 -
Theranostics Nov 2013Acute rupture of vulnerable plaques frequently leads to myocardial infarction and stroke. Within the last decades, several cellular and molecular players have been... (Review)
Review
Acute rupture of vulnerable plaques frequently leads to myocardial infarction and stroke. Within the last decades, several cellular and molecular players have been identified that promote atherosclerotic lesion formation, maturation and plaque rupture. It is now widely recognized that inflammation of the vessel wall and distinct leukocyte subsets are involved throughout all phases of atherosclerotic lesion development. The mechanisms that render a stable plaque unstable and prone to rupture, however, remain unknown and the identification of the vulnerable plaque remains a major challenge in cardiovascular medicine. Imaging technologies used in the clinic offer minimal information about the underlying biology and potential risk for rupture. New imaging technologies are therefore being developed, and in the preclinical setting have enabled new and dynamic insights into the vessel wall for a better understanding of this complex disease. Molecular imaging has the potential to track biological processes, such as the activity of cellular and molecular biomarkers in vivo and over time. Similarly, novel imaging technologies specifically detect effects of therapies that aim to stabilize vulnerable plaques and silence vascular inflammation. Here we will review the potential of established and new molecular imaging technologies in the setting of atherosclerosis, and discuss the cumbersome steps required for translating molecular imaging approaches into the clinic.
Topics: Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Humans; Inflammation; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 24312156
DOI: 10.7150/thno.5771 -
Clinical Radiology Jul 2010In vivo molecular imaging has a great potential to impact medicine by detecting diseases in early stages (screening), identifying extent of disease, selecting disease-... (Review)
Review
In vivo molecular imaging has a great potential to impact medicine by detecting diseases in early stages (screening), identifying extent of disease, selecting disease- and patient-specific treatment (personalized medicine), applying a directed or targeted therapy, and measuring molecular-specific effects of treatment. Current clinical molecular imaging approaches primarily use positron-emission tomography (PET) or single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT)-based techniques. In ongoing preclinical research, novel molecular targets of different diseases are identified and, sophisticated and multifunctional contrast agents for imaging these molecular targets are developed along with new technologies and instrumentation for multi-modality molecular imaging. Contrast-enhanced molecular ultrasound (US) with molecularly-targeted contrast microbubbles is explored as a clinically translatable molecular imaging strategy for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring diseases at the molecular level. Optical imaging with fluorescent molecular probes and US imaging with molecularly-targeted microbubbles are attractive strategies as they provide real-time imaging, are relatively inexpensive, produce images with high spatial resolution, and do not involve exposure to ionizing irradiation. Raman spectroscopy/microscopy has emerged as a molecular optical imaging strategy for ultrasensitive detection of multiple biomolecules/biochemicals with both in vivo and ex vivo versatility. Photoacoustic imaging is a hybrid of optical and US techniques involving optically-excitable molecularly-targeted contrast agents and quantitative detection of resulting oscillatory contrast agent movement with US. Current preclinical findings and advances in instrumentation, such as endoscopes and microcatheters, suggest that these molecular imaging methods have numerous potential clinical applications and will be translated into clinical use in the near future.
Topics: Contrast Media; Disease; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Neoplasms; Precision Medicine; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 20541650
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2010.03.011 -
Journal of Magnetic Resonance (San... Sep 2019Molecular imaging using MRI is gaining momentum. While sensitivity of MR is limited compared to other molecular imaging modalities, the molecular specificity is high in... (Review)
Review
Molecular imaging using MRI is gaining momentum. While sensitivity of MR is limited compared to other molecular imaging modalities, the molecular specificity is high in comparison. Moreover, MRI offers contrast based on multitude of processes and scales, from intramolecular relaxation pathways to water diffusion. Living tissue offers abundance of potential molecular targets of interest in biology and medicine. In this short perspective we focus on some direct and indirect methods to visualize endogenous molecules. We briefly discuss Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI), Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) and Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC). Imaging molecules with MRI is part of the larger universe of imaging methods. Moreover, it is part of ever increasing pool of data combining imaging with other modalities, biology and patient outcomes.
Topics: Algorithms; Animals; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 31337563
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2019.07.022