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Liu Y, Jiang Z, Yang X, Wang Y, Yang B, Fu Q. Engineering Nanoplatforms for Theranostics of Atherosclerotic Plaques. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2303612. [PMID: 38564883 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque formation is considered the primary pathological mechanism underlying atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, leading to severe cardiovascular events such as stroke, acute coronary syndromes, and even sudden cardiac death. Early detection and timely intervention of plaques are challenging due to the lack of typical symptoms in the initial stages. Therefore, precise early detection and intervention play a crucial role in risk stratification of atherosclerotic plaques and achieving favorable post-interventional outcomes. The continuously advancing nanoplatforms have demonstrated numerous advantages including high signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced bioavailability, and specific targeting capabilities for imaging agents and therapeutic drugs, enabling effective visualization and management of atherosclerotic plaques. Motivated by these superior properties, various noninvasive imaging modalities for early recognition of plaques in the preliminary stage of atherosclerosis are comprehensively summarized. Additionally, several therapeutic strategies are proposed to enhance the efficacy of treating atherosclerotic plaques. Finally, existing challenges and promising prospects for accelerating clinical translation of nanoplatform-based molecular imaging and therapy for atherosclerotic plaques are discussed. In conclusion, this review provides an insightful perspective on the diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zeyu Jiang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qinrui Fu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
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Zhang L, Li X, Lyu Q, Shi G. Imaging diagnosis and research progress of carotid plaque vulnerability. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2022; 50:905-912. [PMID: 35801515 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) exhibits a high disability rate, mortality, and recurrence rate, imposing a serious threat to human survival and health. Its occurrence is affected by various factors. Although the previous research has demonstrated that the occurrence of IS is mainly associated with lumen stenosis caused by carotid atherosclerotic plaque (AP), recent studies have revealed that many patients will still suffer from IS even with mild carotid artery lumen stenosis. Blood supply disturbance causes 10% of IS to the corresponding cerebral blood supply area caused by carotid vulnerable plaque. Thrombus blockage of distal branch vessels caused by rupture of vulnerable carotid plaque is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Therefore, how to accurately evaluate vulnerable plaque and intervene as soon as possible is a problem that needs to be solved in clinic. The vulnerability of plaque is determined by its internal components, including thin and incomplete fibrous cap, necrotic lipid core, intra-plaque hemorrhage, intra-plaque neovascularization, and ulcerative plaque formation. The development of imaging technology enables the routine detection of AP vulnerability. By analyzing the pathological changes, characteristics, and formation mechanism of carotid plaque vulnerability, this article aims to explore the modern imaging methods which can be used to identify plaque composition and plaque vulnerability to provide a reference basis for disease diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Zhang
- Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First peolie's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Lyu
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Guofu Shi
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
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Liu Y, Han Y, Guan M, Cai Y, Wang W, Chen H, Zhao X. Added value of femoral artery atherosclerosis for determining severity of white matter lesion by carotid atherosclerosis: a magnetic resonance imaging study. Acta Radiol 2021; 62:1112-1121. [PMID: 32811157 DOI: 10.1177/0284185120950106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies reported that single vascular atherosclerosis was an effective indicator for white matter lesions (WMLs). PURPOSE To investigate the added value of femoral atherosclerosis for determining severity of WMLs by carotid atherosclerosis using three-dimensional vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS Elderly individuals without cardiovascular symptoms within the previous six months were recruited. The plaque features of carotid and femoral arteries were evaluated and compared between individuals with WML score ≤ 3 and those with WML score > 3. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to determine the value of plaque features in discriminating WMLs with score > 3. RESULTS In total, 112 individuals (49 men, mean age 72.0±5.6 years) were included. Participants with a WML score > 3 showed a significantly greater carotid wall area and femoral artery stenosis and higher incidence of carotid calcification and femoral artery calcification and lipid-rich necrotic cores (LRNC) compared to those with a WML score ≤ 3 (all P < 0.05). Carotid artery calcification and femoral artery calcification, LRNC, and stenosis were found to be significantly associated with severe WMLs before and after adjustment for clinical factors (odds ratio 1.51-3.79, all P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed, in discriminating severe WMLs, the area under the curve increased from 0.615 to 0.754 after combining femoral artery LRNC and stenosis with carotid calcification compared to the carotid calcification alone. CONCLUSION Characteristics of femoral artery atherosclerosis determined by vessel wall MRI have added value for carotid atherosclerosis in determining the severity of WMLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongjun Han
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, PR China
- Center for Brain Disorders Research, Capital Medical University and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, PR China
| | - Maobin Guan
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Ying Cai
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou People’s Hospital, Taizhou, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Huijun Chen
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, PR China
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Meng Q, Xie X, Li L, Jiang C, Zhao K, Bai Z, Zheng Z, Yang Y, Yu Y, Zhang H, Zhao X. Assessment of neovascularization of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques using superb microvascular imaging: a comparison with contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and histology. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2021; 11:1958-1969. [PMID: 33936978 DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of superb microvascular imaging (SMI), a novel non-contrast-enhanced ultrasound technique, in characterizing neovessels within carotid atherosclerotic plaques through comparison with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and histology. Methods Patients with carotid plaque were recruited and underwent SMI and CEUS ultrasound imaging of the carotid arteries. The maximum plaque thickness, length, and stenosis of each plaque were measured. Grade of the neovessels was determined by SMI and CEUS, respectively. Grade 0 was defined as no blood flow signal/microbubbles within plaques; grade 1 was defined as moderate blood flow signals/microbubbles confined to the shoulder and/or adventitial side of the plaque; and grade 2 was defined as extensive intraplaque signals/microbubbles. Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (stenosis ≥50%) or asymptomatic carotid stenosis (stenosis ≥70%) underwent endarterectomy, and plaque specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of CD31 expression. The neovessels were quantified by histology. The agreement of SMI with CEUS and histology in characterizing neovessels was analyzed using weighted Kappa statistic and Spearman's correlation analyses. Results Seventy-eight patients (mean age: 67.3±8.9 years old, 63 males) were recruited. Of these patients, 52 (66.7%) had a unilateral plaque and 26 (33.3%) had bilateral plaques in the carotid arteries. For the 104 carotid plaques detected, the mean plaque thickness and length were 4.3±1.1 and 18.8±6.6 mm, respectively. The prevalence of <50%, 50-69%, and ≥70% stenosis was 43.3%, 24.0%, and 32.7%, respectively. Excellent agreement was found between SMI and CEUS (κ=0.825 at the plaque level; κ=0.820 at the patient level) in evaluating the neovessel grade within the carotid plaques. Of the 25 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, a strong correlation (r=0.660, P<0.001) was found between SMI and histology in the evaluation of intraplaque neovessels. SMI had excellent scan-rescan (κ=0.857), intra-reader (κ=0.810), and inter-reader (κ=0.754) agreement in the assessment of intraplaque neovessels. Conclusions The SMI technique is capable of reliably characterizing neovessels within carotid atherosclerotic plaques and demonstrates good to excellent agreement with histology and CEUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Meng
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Keqiang Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Bai
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuozhao Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huabin Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
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