Molecular Imaging of Thrombotic and Atherosclerotic Conditions

Molecular imaging has emerged as a vital tool for the non-invasive visualisation of cellular and biochemical processes that underpin thrombosis and atherosclerosis. By deploying targeted contrast agents and radiotracers, modalities such as positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence tomography can reveal early platelet activation, inflammatory cell infiltration and endothelial barrier disruption within plaques. These insights enable risk stratification of vulnerable lesions, guide personalised therapy and monitor response to novel antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory treatments. Advances in nanoparticle engineering and antibody-based probes have enhanced sensitivity and specificity, while clinical translation of tracers targeting glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and inflammatory integrins offers promise for direct in vivo detection of coronary and arterial thrombi. Collectively, molecular imaging is reshaping diagnosis, risk assessment and therapeutic development in cardiovascular disease by linking molecular pathology to clinical decision-making.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Researchers have developed a copper-64 labelled single-chain antibody fragment that binds exclusively to activated platelet integrin αIIbβIIIa. When applied in murine models of transient coronary occlusion, this radiotracer enabled positron emission tomography to detect minimal degrees of ischaemia undiscerned by conventional biomarkers or histological necrosis stains. The high sensitivity of activated-platelet imaging promises earlier diagnosis of coronary artery disease and more accurate assessment of reperfusion injury.

In parallel, a liposomal gadolinium contrast agent functionalised with ligands for the integrin α4β1 has been shown to accumulate selectively in inflamed atherosclerotic plaques at clinically relevant 1 tesla field strengths. Magnetic resonance imaging of ApoE-deficient mice demonstrated enhanced signal in regions of monocyte and macrophage infiltration, whereas non-targeted liposomes produced no comparable contrast. This approach offers a non-invasive method to quantify plaque inflammatory burden and identify high-risk lesions.

Molecular Imaging of Thrombotic and Atherosclerotic Conditions publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular imaging of thrombotic and atherosclerotic conditions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Positron emission tomography (PET): A nuclear imaging technique that detects pairs of gamma rays emitted by positron-emitting radiotracers to map molecular processes.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A non-ionising modality that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate high-resolution images and quantify contrast agent distribution.

Radiotracer: A molecule labelled with a radioactive isotope designed to bind selectively to a molecular target for PET or SPECT imaging.

Contrast agent: A substance, often nanoparticulate or paramagnetic, that alters the local imaging signal in MRI, CT or ultrasound to enhance target detection.

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa: A platelet integrin receptor that becomes activated during thrombosis and serves as a biomarker for thrombus imaging.

Integrin α4β1 (VLA-4): A cell-adhesion molecule expressed on monocytes and lymphocytes, mediating recruitment to inflamed endothelium in atherosclerotic plaques.

Perfluorocarbon nanoparticle: A fluorine-rich vessel-permeant particle used for ¹⁹F MRI and fluorescence imaging of vascular pathology.

References

1. Highly Sensitive Detection of Minimal Cardiac Ischemia using Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Activated Platelets. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque at Clinically Relevant Field Strengths (1T) by Targeting the Integrin α4β1. Scientific Reports (2018).
3. A phase 1, first-in-human study of 18F-GP1 positron emission tomography for imaging acute arterial thrombosis. EJNMMI Research (2019).