Fig. 3
Characterization of the plaque-burden by molecular MRI and ex vivo histology in response to anti-inflammatory therapy. (A) A significant increase of contrast-to-noise-ratio was observed after administration of the elastin-specific probe 8 weeks after start of the high-fat diet in both groups (p < 0.05). The control group showed a significantly stronger enhancement compared to the 01BSUR group. (B, C) Mice treated two times with the anti-interleukin-1β antibody 01BSUR showed a significant lower relative plaque size (p < 0.05) as well as lower elastin fiber content within the atherosclerotic plaque area (p < 0.05) compared to mice of the control group. (D) In vivo MRI measurements of the contrast-to-noise area were in good correlation with ex vivo histological analyses (y = 3.25x + 20.80, R2 = 0.77). All data are presented as mean values ± SD.
