Analysis of Vascular Function by DCE-MRI in a Human Endothelial Cell Derived Angiogenesis Model in Mice

Claudia Weidensteiner¹, Wilfried Reichardt¹, Holger Weber², Dominik Paul¹, Oliver Siedentopf², Christoph Schaechtele², Dominik von Elverfeldt¹

Vascular function was studied with dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in a new angiogenesis model in vivo. Human endothelial cells embedded in a Matrigel matrix formed a functional neovasculature after these Matrigel plugs were implanted into mice. DCE-MRI showed that the plugs were perfused which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. DCE-MRI data were fitted with a two-compartment model. Anti-angiogenic treatment decreased the fitted transfer constants and areas under the enhancement curves as compared to control plugs which indicated a decreased perfusion.