Biomedical Science Letters (대한의생명과학회지)
- Volume 11 Issue 1
- /
- Pages.23-29
- /
- 2005
- /
- 1738-3226(pISSN)
- /
- 2288-7415(eISSN)
Molecular Imaging of Stretch-Induced Tissue Factor Expression in Carotid Arteries with Intravascular Ultrasound
- Park Byung-Rae (Department of Radiological Science, Catholic University of Pusan)
- Published : 2005.03.01
Abstract
Molecular imaging with targeted contrast agents enables tissues to be distinguished by detecting specific cell-surface receptors. In the present study, a ligand-targeted acoustic nanoparticle system is used to identify angioplasty-induced expression of tissue factor by smooth muscle cell within carotid arteries. Pig carotid arteries were overstretched with balloon catheters, treated with tissue factor-targeted or a control nanoparticle system, and imaged with intravascular ultrasound before and after treatment. Tissue factor-targeted emulsion bound and increased the echogenicity and gray-scale levels of overstretched smooth muscle cell within the tunica media, versus no change in contralateral control arteries. Expression of stretch-induced tissue factor in carotid artery media was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The potential for abnormal thrombogenicity of balloon-injured arteries, as reflected by smooth muscle expression of tissue factor, was imaged using a novel, targeted, nanoparticulate ultrasonic contrast agent.