ABSTRACT
Targeted imaging of neovascularization in the cardiovascular system and in tumors is a rapidly developing field that promises to enhance ability to understand how new blood vessels grow in patients and to monitor this growth in response to treatment. A requirement that needs to be met to realize this promise is to understand how new blood vessels impact organ perfusion, metabolism and function. Embryonic vascular development is initiated by a process called vasculogenesis and subsequent maturation and expansion of the embryonic vascular bed rely on angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Contrary to the acquisition of electric signals from the body, the recording of magnetic signal is less easily accomplished because of the low strength of these signals, requiring strong magnets and extremely sensitive sensors. Naturally occurring contrast can be enhanced with exogenous magnetic particles. Using antibody-conjugated paramagnetic liposomes, D. A. Sipkins et al. imaged vascular inflammation in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalitis.
