Feasibility of ex vivo fluorescence imaging of angiogenesis in (non-) culprit human carotid atherosclerotic plaques using bevacizumab-800CW.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Huisman, Lydian A.; Steinkamp, Pieter J.; Hillebrands, Jan-Luuk; Zeebregts, Clark J.; Linssen, Matthijs D.; Jorritsma-Smit, Annelies; Slart, Riemer H. J. A.; van Dam, Gooitzen M.; Boersma, Hendrikus H.
- Source
- Scientific Reports. 2/3/2021, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p1-11. 11p.
- Subject
- *ATHEROSCLEROTIC plaque
*VASCULAR endothelial growth factors
*BEVACIZUMAB
*IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY
*NEOVASCULARIZATION
- Language
- ISSN
- 2045-2322
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is assumed to play a crucial role in the development and rupture of vulnerable plaques in the atherosclerotic process. We used a VEGF-A targeted fluorescent antibody (bevacizumab-IRDye800CW [bevacizumab-800CW]) to image and visualize the distribution of VEGF-A in (non-)culprit carotid plaques ex vivo. Freshly endarterectomized human plaques (n = 15) were incubated in bevacizumab-800CW ex vivo. Subsequent NIRF imaging showed a more intense fluorescent signal in the culprit plaques (n = 11) than in the non-culprit plaques (n = 3). A plaque received from an asymptomatic patient showed pathologic features similar to the culprit plaques. Cross-correlation with VEGF-A immunohistochemistry showed co-localization of VEGF-A over-expression in 91% of the fluorescent culprit plaques, while no VEGF-A expression was found in the non-culprit plaques (p < 0.0001). VEGF-A expression was co-localized with CD34, a marker for angiogenesis (p < 0.001). Ex vivo near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging by incubation with bevacizumab-800CW shows promise for visualizing VEGF-A overexpression in culprit atherosclerotic plaques in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]