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Analysis of subcutaneous angiogenesis by gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Abramovitch Rinat,
Frenkiel Daphna,
Neeman Michal
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1910390519
Subject(s) - carbogen , angiogenesis , magnetic resonance imaging , neovascularization , chemistry , pathology , medicine , biomedical engineering , oxygenation , radiology
The goal of this study was to develop an experimental method for noninvasive analysis of angiogenesis, namely the sprouting of capillaries from existing blood vessels. Angiogenesis was assayed in the subcutaneous vasculature of nude mice in a region of 3 × 3 cm that included in its center a defined angiogenic stimulus. Angiogenic stimuli included agarose beads containing angiogenic growth factors, multicellular tumor spheroids, and dermal incisions. Highly significant correlation ( r = 0.905, P = 0.0001) was found between the apparent vessel density determined by gradient echo MRI and the density of blood‐containing vessels determined postmortem. The functionality of the neovasculature was demonstrated in mice breathing alternatingly carbogen or 95% air/5% CO 2 . Large signal enhancement with carbogen breathing corresponded to regions of high vessel density. The assay reported here can be applied for the study of dermal wound healing, primary vascularization of subcutaneous implants, and for measuring the activity of angiogenic and antiangiogenic agents.