Figure 2 | Scientific Reports

Figure 2

From: Dual-probe molecular MRI for the in vivo characterization of atherosclerosis in a mouse model: Simultaneous assessment of plaque inflammation and extracellular-matrix remodeling

Figure 2

In vivo MRI signal measurements and ex vivo quantification of gadolinium-based and iron-oxide-based molecular probes. (A) Average atherosclerotic-plaque CNR pre–contrast and following the administration of the gadolinium-based elastin-specific MR-probe. After the injection of the elastin-specific probe, a small increase (p ≤ 0.05) in atherosclerotic-plaque CNR could be observed, while a strong increase in plaque CNR could be observed after four-months of HFD. (B) In the scatter-plot, the in vivo measured CNR showed a strong correlation (p ≤ 0.05) with the ex vivo Elastica-van-Giesson-staining. (C) After two-months of high-fat-diet a strong accumulation (p ≤ 0.05) of iron-oxide-particles could be observed. After four-months of high-fat-diet, the most pronounced peak (p ≤ 0.05) was measured. In response to the statin-treatment, a strong reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in iron-oxide-particle accumulation. (D) In the scatter-plot, the in vivo measured signal-void resulting from the iron-oxide-particles showed a strong correlation (p ≤ 0.05) to the ex vivo Perls’-Prussian-blue-stain.

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