Abstract #0557

Amirbekian V, Amirbekian S, Frias J, Mani V, Aguinaldo J, Fayad Z, Briley-Saebo K, Vucic E, Sirol M

Macrophages play a vital role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. They are major sources of inflammation. Furthermore, the necrotic core of ruptured/thrombosed plaques often contains a high content of macrophages. Gadolinium-containing immunomicelles have demonstrated in-vivo efficacy in imaging of atherosclerosis using ApoE-knockout mice. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the relationship between macrophage content of atherosclerotic plaques and in-vivo MRI signal-intensity in the atherosclerotic aorta using immunomicelles as a contrast-agent targeted to macrophages. There appears to be a significant connection between atherosclerosis macrophage content and MRI signal-intensity using immunomicelles. The investigation is ongoing to determine significance level.