A Novel Contrast Agent Detects Tropoelastin Fibers in Atherosclerotic Plaques

Alkystis Phinikaridou¹, Marcelo E. Andia¹, Rafael Torres Martin De Rosales, Rene M. Botnar

Studies of human vessels showed increased deposition of tropoelastin fibres, the precursor of cross-linked mature elastin, in atherosclerotic vessels, and particularly in ruptured plaques, as well as aortic aneurysm. Here, we sought to develop a novel gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent that would selectively bind to tropoelastin and in this way differentiate the de novo synthesized fibers that are present in the vascular wall only under pathological conditions from the mature cross-linked elastin that is normally present in the vessel wall.