Premium
Contrast‐enhanced MRI of murine sponge model for progressive angiogenesis assessed with gadoteridol (ProHance) and gadocoletic acid trisodium salt (B22956/1)
Author(s) -
Ramponi Simona,
Rebaudengo Cristina,
Cabella Claudia,
Grotti Adriana,
Vultaggio Stefania,
Aime Silvio,
Morisetti Alberto,
Lorusso Vito
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.21293
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , sponge , neovascularization , gadolinium , biomedical engineering , histology , magnetic resonance imaging , in vivo , perfusion , vascularity , chemistry , nuclear medicine , pathology , medicine , biology , radiology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , botany
Purpose To investigate the potential value of MRI for noninvasive assessment of angiogenesis in a murine model exploiting the properties of two contrast agents, gadoteridol (ProHance) and gadocoletic acid trisodium salt (B22956/1). Materials and Methods Biocompatible sponges were implanted in both mice flanks. Stimulated sponges contained human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as the angiogenic agent; control sponges contained vehicle. Angiogenesis was evaluated by MRI after injection of extravascular (ProHance) or blood‐pool (B22956/1) contrast agents at different times after sponge implantation. Sponges signal intensity enhancement was calculated both as the relative enhancement and the rate of relative enhancement. Results from MRI were validated by classic biochemical (hemoglobin level and protein content) and morphological (histology) assays. Results The intrinsic different properties of ProHance and B22956/1 in wash‐in and wash‐out kinetics were useful to detect progressive vascularization and the establishment of a functional vascular network in the implants. Moreover, MRI allowed the appreciation of differences in neovessel colonization between bFGF‐treated sponges and controls. Hemoglobin level, protein content, and histology confirmed the sponge vascularization and MRI results. Conclusion Contrast‐enhanced MRI is a reliable tool to study vascular characteristics in animal models of angiogenesis. The different kinetic properties of contrast agents can provide evidence of different functional neovascularization aspects and levels. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:872–880. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.