Near-infrared autofluorescence induced by intraplaque hemorrhage and heme degradation as marker for high-risk atherosclerotic plaques

Nay Min Htun, Yung Chih Chen, Bock Lim, Tara Schiller, Ghassan J. Maghzal, Alex L. Huang, Kirstin D. Elgass, Jennifer Rivera, Hans G. Schneider, Bayden R. Wood, Roland Stocker and Karlheinz Peter ()
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Nay Min Htun: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Yung Chih Chen: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Bock Lim: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Tara Schiller: University of Warwick
Ghassan J. Maghzal: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Alex L. Huang: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Kirstin D. Elgass: Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Jennifer Rivera: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Hans G. Schneider: Monash University
Bayden R. Wood: School of Chemistry, Monash University
Roland Stocker: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Karlheinz Peter: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity, which is mainly driven by complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke. These complications are caused by thrombotic arterial occlusion localized at the site of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques, of which early detection and therapeutic stabilization are urgently needed. Here we show that near-infrared autofluorescence is associated with the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage and heme degradation products, particularly bilirubin by using our recently created mouse model, which uniquely reflects plaque instability as seen in humans, and human carotid endarterectomy samples. Fluorescence emission computed tomography detecting near-infrared autofluorescence allows in vivo monitoring of intraplaque hemorrhage, establishing a preclinical technology to assess and monitor plaque instability and thereby test potential plaque-stabilizing drugs. We suggest that near-infrared autofluorescence imaging is a novel technology that allows identification of atherosclerotic plaques with intraplaque hemorrhage and ultimately holds promise for detection of high-risk plaques in patients.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00138-x

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