Quantitative CT imaging of the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of vasa vasorum in aortas of apoE^−/−/LDL^−/− double knockout mice

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• 作者：M. Kampschulte ; A. Brinkmann ; P. Stieger ; D.G. Sedding ; C. Dierkes ; R.M. Bohle ; G. Krombach ; Erik L. Ritman ; A.C. Langheinrich
• 关键词：Atherosclerosis ; Micro-CT ; Nano-CT ; Imaging ; Vasa vasorum
• 刊名：Atherosclerosis
• 出版年：2010
• 出版时间：October 2010
• 年：2010
• 卷：212
• 期：2
• 页码：444-450
• 全文大小：1548 K

文摘

Objective

To investigate the distribution of vasa vasorum (VV) relative to advanced atherosclerotic lesions (calcified, fibrotic or hemorrhaged) along the aortic wall of apoE^−/−/LDL^−/− mice at the age of 25 and 80 weeks using high-resolution nano-CT.

Methods

Aortas from male apoE^−/−/LDL^−/− mice at the age of 25 weeks (n = 4) and 80 weeks (n = 7) were infused in situ with contrast agent and harvested for scanning with nano-CT. The spatial distribution of vasa vasorum [number and area/cross-section (mm²)] was compared to aortic luminal cross-sectional area and plaque cross-sectional area in the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta. Results were complemented with co-localized histology.

Results

The number and total luminal cross-sectional area of VV showed a significant decrease in the ascending aorta and aortic arch from 25 to 80 weeks but not in the descending aorta. The number and cross-sectional area of VV showed significant local differences depending on whether it was near a fibrotic, and hemorrhaged or calcified plaque in animals at the age of 80 weeks. Area of VV progressively increased along the aorta from least in the ascending aorta < aortic arch < descending aorta in animals at the age of 80 weeks and is inverse in animals aged 25 weeks.

Conclusion

Atherosclerotic lesion type is correlated to the number and cross-sectional area of VV in different aortic segments in apoE^−/−/LDL^−/− mice. The chronological development of VV along the aorta proceeds distally from the ascending aorta and aortic arch.