A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.

Precise quantification of atherosclerotic plaque in preclinical models of atherosclerosis requires the volumetric assessment of the lesion(s) while maintaining in situ architecture. Here we use micro-computed tomography (microCT) to detect ex vivo aortic plaque established in three dyslipidemic mous...

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Main Authors: David J Lloyd, Joan Helmering, Stephen A Kaufman, James Turk, Matt Silva, Sergio Vasquez, David Weinstein, Brad Johnston, Clarence Hale, Murielle M Véniant
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2011-04-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0018800&type=printable
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author David J Lloyd
Joan Helmering
Stephen A Kaufman
James Turk
Matt Silva
Sergio Vasquez
David Weinstein
Brad Johnston
Clarence Hale
Murielle M Véniant
author_facet David J Lloyd
Joan Helmering
Stephen A Kaufman
James Turk
Matt Silva
Sergio Vasquez
David Weinstein
Brad Johnston
Clarence Hale
Murielle M Véniant
author_sort David J Lloyd
collection DOAJ
description Precise quantification of atherosclerotic plaque in preclinical models of atherosclerosis requires the volumetric assessment of the lesion(s) while maintaining in situ architecture. Here we use micro-computed tomography (microCT) to detect ex vivo aortic plaque established in three dyslipidemic mouse models of atherosclerosis. All three models lack the low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr(-/-)), each differing in plaque severity, allowing the evaluation of different plaque volumes using microCT technology. From clearly identified lesions in the thoracic aorta from each model, we were able to determine plaque volume (0.04-3.1 mm(3)), intimal surface area (0.5-30 mm(2)), and maximum plaque (intimal-medial) thickness (0.1-0.7 mm). Further, quantification of aortic volume allowed calculation of vessel occlusion by the plaque. To validate microCT for future preclinical studies, we compared microCT data to intimal surface area (by using en face methodology). Both plaque surface area and plaque volume were in excellent correlation between microCT assessment and en face surface area (r(2) = 0.99, p<0.0001 and r(2) = 0.95, p<0.0001, respectively). MicroCT also identified internal characteristics of the lipid core and fibrous cap, which were confirmed pathologically as Stary type III-V lesions. These data validate the use of microCT technology to provide a more exact empirical measure of ex vivo plaque volume throughout the entire intact aorta in situ for the quantification of atherosclerosis in preclinical models.
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spelling doaj-art-ae7f2e2eb1cd43f9a5a2073955438af52025-08-20T03:10:21ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-04-0164e1880010.1371/journal.pone.0018800A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.David J LloydJoan HelmeringStephen A KaufmanJames TurkMatt SilvaSergio VasquezDavid WeinsteinBrad JohnstonClarence HaleMurielle M VéniantPrecise quantification of atherosclerotic plaque in preclinical models of atherosclerosis requires the volumetric assessment of the lesion(s) while maintaining in situ architecture. Here we use micro-computed tomography (microCT) to detect ex vivo aortic plaque established in three dyslipidemic mouse models of atherosclerosis. All three models lack the low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr(-/-)), each differing in plaque severity, allowing the evaluation of different plaque volumes using microCT technology. From clearly identified lesions in the thoracic aorta from each model, we were able to determine plaque volume (0.04-3.1 mm(3)), intimal surface area (0.5-30 mm(2)), and maximum plaque (intimal-medial) thickness (0.1-0.7 mm). Further, quantification of aortic volume allowed calculation of vessel occlusion by the plaque. To validate microCT for future preclinical studies, we compared microCT data to intimal surface area (by using en face methodology). Both plaque surface area and plaque volume were in excellent correlation between microCT assessment and en face surface area (r(2) = 0.99, p<0.0001 and r(2) = 0.95, p<0.0001, respectively). MicroCT also identified internal characteristics of the lipid core and fibrous cap, which were confirmed pathologically as Stary type III-V lesions. These data validate the use of microCT technology to provide a more exact empirical measure of ex vivo plaque volume throughout the entire intact aorta in situ for the quantification of atherosclerosis in preclinical models.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0018800&type=printable
spellingShingle David J Lloyd
Joan Helmering
Stephen A Kaufman
James Turk
Matt Silva
Sergio Vasquez
David Weinstein
Brad Johnston
Clarence Hale
Murielle M Véniant
A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
PLoS ONE
title A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
title_full A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
title_fullStr A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
title_full_unstemmed A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
title_short A volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microCT: comparison to en face.
title_sort volumetric method for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice by using microct comparison to en face
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0018800&type=printable
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